Gaming system and method for selectively providing an elimination tournament that funds an award through expected values of unplayed tournament games of eliminated players

ABSTRACT

A gaming system including a central server operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming devices to provide non-tournament game play and provide an elimination tournament. The gaming system contributes an average expected payout value of tournament games that were determined to be subsequently played by tournament players but were then not played because the players were eliminated before the end of the tournament to a tournament award. The tournament award is provided to a winner of the tournament.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/849,300, which was filedon Mar. 22, 2013, which is a continuation of, and claims priority to andthe benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/871,359, which wasfiled on Aug. 30, 2010, and issued on Apr. 16, 2013, as U.S. Pat. No.8,419,546, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/238,458, which was filed on Aug. 31, 2009,which is expired, the entire contents of each of which are incorporatedby reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or maycontain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appearsin the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Gaming device manufacturers strive to make wagering gaming devices thatprovide as much enjoyment, entertainment and excitement as possible forplayers. Gaming tournaments, such as slot tournaments, are exciting forcertain players and are a widely used form of casino promotion.Generally, a slot tournament is a group event where a plurality ofplayers pay for or otherwise qualify to join the tournament. The playersindividually play the tournament on designated gaming machines. Thesedesignated gaming machines have the same gaming machine paytables. Theplayers may either play the same number of games, play for the sameallotted period of time or play with the same allotted initial amount ofmoney or number of credits. The winner of the tournament is typicallydetermined based on a highest tournament point score or a highestindividual game score. At an end of the tournament, the gamingestablishment provides the tournament winner an award.

Tournament awards are frequently funded with buy ins or with marketingdollars. Typically, the award for the tournament is a static award thatis determined prior to the tournament. This award is frequentlyadvertised with the tournament.

Therefore, there is a need for a new gaming system to improve aspects ofthe funding of tournament awards and to make tournaments even moreexciting.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a gaming systemincluding a central server or controller configured to communicate aplurality of different commands, instructions or other communications toa plurality of gaming devices to provide non-tournament game play andprovide an elimination tournament upon an occurrence of a tournamenttriggering event. In one embodiment, during tournament play, the gamingsystem provides each of the players of the gaming devices a same initialnumber of the tournament games. In one embodiment, each of thetournament games are free for the players. In another embodiment, thegaming system requires one or more players to each pay at the beginningof the tournament. In another embodiment, the gaming system requires oneor more players to pay for each play of the tournament game as furtherdiscussed below. Each of the players tries to collect as many credits asthey can during the play of these tournament games. The gaming systemaccumulates any credits won in the tournament games for each player. Inone embodiment, the gaming system provides each of the credits wonduring the tournament to each of the players at the end of the player'stournament. The gaming system eliminates one or more players from thetournament upon the occurrence of a player elimination triggering eventduring the tournament. For each eliminated player, the gaming systemapplies the average expected tournament game payout value of eachinitially provided and unplayed tournament game to a tournament award.That is, the gaming system adds an average expected payout value of eachunplayed tournament game of each eliminated player to the tournamentaward. In this manner, one or more players may be eliminated from thetournament at the same time or at different times. The gaming systemdetermines one or a plurality of tournament winners at the end of thetournament and provides the tournament winner the tournament award.Therefore, in one embodiment, the gaming system provides a tournamentwinner all of the credits won in the tournament by that player and atournament award that includes the sum of the average expected payoutvalue of each unplayed tournament game from each eliminated player. Inone such embodiment, each of the players who do not win the tournamentare provided all of the credits that player won during play of theinitial number of free tournament games.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system provides one or more players atournament advantage or tournament element. In one embodiment, thegaming system determines the tournament advantage or tournament elementto provide to each player based on one or more aspects of the player'snon-tournament game play or base game play. For example, in oneembodiment, the gaming system provides a player tournament entry basedon an outcome generated in a non-tournament game. The gaming systemdetermines the tournament advantage or tournament element to provide theplayer based on how much the player wagered on the non-tournament gamethat generated the tournament qualifying outcome. It should beappreciated that in different embodiments any multiplier providedrelates linearly or non-linearly to the wager amount placed. Forexample, if the player wagered two credits a payline in thenon-tournament game, the gaming system provides the player a multiplierof 2 that applies to each of the player's tournament games. If theplayer wagers 5 credits per payline in the non-tournament game thatgenerated the tournament qualifying outcome, the gaming system providesthe player a multiplier of 4 that applies to each game of thetournament. Therefore, in certain embodiments, the tournament advantageor tournament element greatly influences the outcome of the tournament.

It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments that includedifferent tournament advantages or different tournament elements fordifferent players that the tournament award changes during thetournament depending on which players are eliminated and how many gamesthose players played before being eliminated. For example, each of thetournament games is valued at 2 credits and a player eliminationtriggering event occurs with 10 games remaining in the tournament. Thegaming system would allocate 40 credits to the tournament award if afirst player with a multiplier of 2 is eliminated (10 games×2 credits×2multiplier). However, if a player with a multiplier of 10 is eliminated,the gaming system would allocate 200 credits to the tournament award (10games×2 credits×10 multiplier). It should thus be appreciated that incertain embodiments, the tournament award is a dynamically changingaward that provides added excitement to the tournament.

It should also be appreciated that players may be eliminated from thetournament in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the playerelimination triggering event is a designated number of tournament gamesbeing played. That is, a designated number of players are eliminatedafter a designated number of tournament games have been played. Inanother embodiment, the player elimination triggering event is passageof a designated amount of time during the tournament. That is, adesignated number of players are eliminated after a passage of adesignated amount of time.

The gaming system may determine how many players to eliminate upon anoccurrence of a player elimination triggering event based on anysuitable element of the tournament. In certain embodiments, how manyplayers are eliminated upon the occurrence of a player eliminationtriggering event is determined, at least in part, by the number ofplayers participating in the tournament. For example, the bottom 10% ofplayers are eliminated upon the occurrence of each player eliminationtriggering event. In another example, the bottom 10% of players areeliminated upon an occurrence of a first player elimination triggeringevent at a first point in time and the bottom 50% of players areeliminated upon an occurrence of a second, later player eliminationtriggering event at a subsequent second point in time. In anotherembodiment, the gaming system determines which players to eliminatebased on an elimination threshold. For example, all players that havebelow 100 points are eliminated upon an occurrence of a first playerelimination triggering event.

Accordingly, the gaming system disclosed herein provides a tournamentwith a tournament award that includes the average expected payout valuesof each of the tournament games that are initially provided to one ormore players and not played by those players due to the elimination ofthose players from the tournament. In one embodiment, the gaming systemdisclosed herein additionally provides different tournament elements ordifferent tournament advantages to one or more different tournamentplayers of a same tournament. Thus, in certain embodiments, the gamingsystem herein provides a tournament award that changes during tournamentplay.

Additional features and advantages are described in, and will beapparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of alternative embodiments of thegaming device of the gaming system disclosed herein.

FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration ofone embodiment of the gaming system disclosed herein.

FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of gamingterminals in communication with a central controller.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one method of one embodiment of thetournament.

FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating the value of a tournament award where theaverage expected tournament game value is the same for each of theplayers.

FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating the value of a tournament award where theaverage expected tournament game value is the same for each of theplayers with each of the players having multipliers that change thevalue of the tournament award as the players are eliminated.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6F are screen shots that illustrate oneembodiment of tournament play.

FIGS. 6E and 6G are charts that illustrate the value and calculation ofthe tournament award at different games during the tournament of FIGS.6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6F.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7E, 7F, and 7K are screen shots that illustrate oneembodiment of different players' tournament play where each of theplayers has a multiplier in the tournament.

FIG. 7D is a chart illustrating which players of the tournament havewhich multipliers.

FIG. 7G is common display showing the standings of the players of thetournament.

FIGS. 7H, 7I, and 7J are charts that illustrate the value andcalculation of the tournament award at different tournament games.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be implemented in various configurations forgaming machines, gaming devices, or gaming systems, including but notlimited to: (1) a dedicated gaming machine, gaming device, or gamingsystem wherein the computerized instructions for controlling any games(which are provided by the gaming machine or gaming device) are providedwith the gaming machine or gaming device prior to delivery to a gamingestablishment; and (2) a changeable gaming machine, gaming device, orgaming system wherein the computerized instructions for controlling anygames (which are provided by the gaming machine or gaming device) aredownloadable to the gaming machine or gaming device through a datanetwork after the gaming machine or gaming device is in a gamingestablishment. In one embodiment, the computerized instructions forcontrolling any games are executed by at least one central server,central controller, or remote host. In such a “thin client” embodiment,the central server remotely controls any games (or other suitableinterfaces) and the gaming device is utilized to display such games (orsuitable interfaces) and receive one or more inputs or commands from aplayer. In another embodiment, the computerized instructions forcontrolling any games are communicated from the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host to a gaming device local processor and memorydevices. In such a “thick client” embodiment, the gaming device localprocessor executes the communicated computerized instructions to controlany games (or other suitable interfaces) provided to a player.

In one embodiment, one or more gaming devices in a gaming system may bethin client gaming devices and one or more gaming devices in the gamingsystem may be thick client gaming devices. In another embodiment,certain functions of the gaming device are implemented in a thin clientenvironment and certain other functions of the gaming device areimplemented in a thick client environment. In one such embodiment,computerized instructions for controlling any primary games arecommunicated from the central server to the gaming device in a thickclient configuration and computerized instructions for controlling anysecondary games or bonus functions or tournament games are executed by acentral server in a thin client configuration.

Referring now to the drawings, two example alternative embodiments of agaming device disclosed herein are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B asgaming device 10 a and gaming device 10 b, respectively. Gaming device10 a and/or gaming device 10 b are generally referred to herein asgaming device 10.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 hasa support structure, housing, or cabinet which provides support for aplurality of displays, inputs, controls, and other features of aconventional gaming machine. It is configured so that a player canoperate it while standing or sitting. The gaming device can bepositioned on a base or stand or can be configured as a pub-styletable-top game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably whilesitting. As illustrated by the different configurations shown in FIGS.1A and 1B, the gaming device may have varying cabinet and displayconfigurations.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming devicepreferably includes at least one processor 12, such as a microprocessor,a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit or oneor more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's). The processoris in communication with or operable to access or to exchange signalswith at least one data storage or memory device 14. In one embodiment,the processor and the memory device reside within the cabinet of thegaming device. The memory device stores program code and instructions,executable by the processor, to control the gaming device. The memorydevice also stores other data such as image data, event data, playerinput data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data orinformation, and applicable game rules that relate to the play of thegaming device. In one embodiment, the memory device includes randomaccess memory (RAM), which can include non-volatile RAM (NVRAM),magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), and other forms ascommonly understood in the gaming industry. In one embodiment, thememory device includes read only memory (ROM). In one embodiment, thememory device includes flash memory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasableprogrammable read only memory). Any other suitable magnetic, optical,and/or semiconductor memory may operate in conjunction with the gamingdevice disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating datadescribed above can be stored in a detachable or removable memorydevice, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk, CDROM, DVD, or USB memory device. In other embodiments, part or all of theprogram code and/or operating data described above can be downloaded tothe memory device through a suitable network.

In one embodiment, an operator or a player can use such a removablememory device in a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a portable computing device, or anothercomputerized platform to implement the present disclosure. In oneembodiment, the gaming device or gaming machine disclosed herein isoperable over a wireless network, for example part of a wireless gamingsystem. In this embodiment, the gaming machine may be a hand-helddevice, a mobile device, or any other suitable wireless device thatenables a player to play any suitable game at a variety of differentlocations. It should be appreciated that a gaming device or gamingmachine as disclosed herein may be a device that has obtained approvalfrom a regulatory gaming commission or a device that has not obtainedapproval from a regulatory gaming commission. It should be appreciatedthat the processor and memory device may be collectively referred toherein as a “computer” or “controller.”

In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming devicerandomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based onprobability data. In one such embodiment, this random determination isprovided through utilization of a random number generator (RNG), such asa true random number generator, a pseudo random number generator, orother suitable randomization process. In one embodiment, each award orother game outcome is associated with a probability and the gamingdevice generates the award or other game outcome to be provided to theplayer based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment, sincethe gaming device generates outcomes randomly or based upon one or moreprobability calculations, there is no certainty that the gaming devicewill ever provide the player with any specific award or other gameoutcome.

In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gamingdevice employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or othergame outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or other game outcomeis provided to the player, the gaming device flags or removes theprovided award or other game outcome from the predetermined set or pool.Once flagged or removed from the set or pool, the specific providedaward or other game outcome from that specific pool cannot be providedto the player again. This type of gaming device provides players withall of the available awards or other game outcomes over the course ofthe play cycle and guarantees the amount of actual wins and losses.

In another embodiment, as discussed below, upon a player initiating gameplay at the gaming device, the gaming device enrolls in a bingo game. Inthis embodiment, a bingo server calls the bingo balls that result in aspecific bingo game outcome. The resultant game outcome is communicatedto the individual gaming device to be provided to a player. In oneembodiment, this bingo outcome is displayed to the player as a bingogame and/or in any form in accordance with the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includesone or more display devices controlled by the processor. The displaydevices are preferably connected to or mounted on the cabinet of thegaming device. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a centraldisplay device 16 which displays a primary game. This display device mayalso display any suitable secondary game associated with the primarygame as well as information relating to the primary or secondary game.The alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central displaydevice 16 and an upper display device 18. The upper display device maydisplay the primary game, any suitable secondary game associated or notassociated with the primary game and/or information relating to theprimary or secondary game. These display devices may also serve asdigital glass operable to advertise games or other aspects of the gamingestablishment. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment, the gamingdevice includes a credit display 20 which displays a player's currentnumber of credits, cash, account balance, or the equivalent. In oneembodiment, the gaming device includes a bet display 22 which displays aplayer's amount wagered. In one embodiment, as described in more detailbelow, the gaming device includes a player tracking display 40 whichdisplays information regarding a player's play tracking status.

In another embodiment, at least one display device may be a mobiledisplay device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, that enables play of atleast a portion of the primary or secondary game at a location remotefrom the gaming device.

In another embodiment, at least one display device is a common displaydevice that is operable to simultaneously display information to aplurality of players. The common display device may display tournamentstandings, tournament points, tournament player information, updatedinformation about the tournament award and any other tournamentinformation.

The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, atelevision display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) adisplay based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), a display based on aplurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a display based onpolymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display based on a plurality ofsurface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a display including aprojected and/or reflected image, or any other suitable electronicdevice or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in moredetail below, the display device includes a touch-screen with anassociated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of anysuitable size and configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or anelongated rectangle.

The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display atleast one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images,symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition ofthe movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual, or video reels andwheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters,places, things, faces of cards, and the like.

In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayedon or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, thedisplay device may include any electromechanical device, such as one ormore mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels, ordice, configured to display at least one or a plurality of game or othersuitable images, symbols or indicia.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the gaming device includesat least one payment device 24 in communication with the processor. Asseen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a payment device such as a payment acceptorincludes a note, ticket or bill acceptor 28 wherein the player insertspaper money, a ticket, or voucher and a coin slot 26 where the playerinserts money, coins, or tokens. In other embodiments, payment devicessuch as readers or validators for credit cards, debit cards or creditslips may accept payment. In one embodiment, a player may insert anidentification card into a card reader of the gaming device. In oneembodiment, the identification card is a smart card having a programmedmicrochip, a coded magnetic strip or coded rewritable magnetic strip,wherein the programmed microchip or magnetic strips are coded with aplayer's identification, credit totals (or related data), and/or otherrelevant information. In another embodiment, a player may carry aportable device, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identificationtag, or any other suitable wireless device, which communicates aplayer's identification, credit totals (or related data), and otherrelevant information to the gaming device. In one embodiment, money maybe transferred to a gaming device through electronic funds transfer.When a player funds the gaming device, the processor determines theamount of funds entered and displays the corresponding amount on thecredit or other suitable display as described above.

As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2A, in one embodiment the gaming deviceincludes at least one and preferably a plurality of input devices 30 incommunication with the processor. The input devices can include anysuitable device which enables the player to produce an input signalwhich is received by the processor. In one embodiment, after appropriatefunding of the gaming device, the input device is a game activationdevice, such as a play button 32 or a pull arm (not shown) which is usedby the player to start any primary game or sequence of events in thegaming device. The play button can be any suitable play activator suchas a bet one button, a max bet button, or a repeat the bet button. Inone embodiment, upon appropriate funding, the gaming device begins thegame play automatically. In another embodiment, upon the player engagingone of the play buttons, the gaming device automatically activates gameplay.

In one embodiment, one input device is a bet one button. The playerplaces a bet by pushing the bet one button. The player can increase thebet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button. Whenthe player pushes the bet one button, the number of credits shown in thecredit display preferably decreases by one, and the number of creditsshown in the bet display preferably increases by one. In anotherembodiment, one input device is a bet max button (not shown) whichenables the player to bet the maximum wager permitted for a game of thegaming device.

In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 34. The playermay push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash payment orother suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remainingcredits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, a paymentdevice, such as a ticket, payment, or note generator 36 prints orotherwise generates a ticket or credit slip to provide to the player.The player receives the ticket or credit slip and may redeem the valueassociated with the ticket or credit slip via a cashier (or othersuitable redemption system). In another embodiment, when the playercashes out, the player receives the coins or tokens in a coin payouttray. It should be appreciated that any suitable payout mechanisms, suchas funding to the player's electronically recordable identification cardor smart card, may be implemented in accordance with the gaming devicedisclosed herein.

In one embodiment, as mentioned above and as seen in FIG. 2A, one inputdevice is a touch-screen 42 coupled with a touch-screen controller 44 orsome other touch-sensitive display overlay to allow for playerinteraction with the images on the display. The touch-screen and thetouch-screen controller are connected to a video controller 46. A playercan make decisions and input signals into the gaming device by touchingthe touch-screen at the appropriate locations. One such input device isa conventional touch-screen button panel.

The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication portsfor enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals,such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays,a SCSI port, or a keypad.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includes asound generating device controlled by one or more sounds cards 48 whichfunction in conjunction with the processor. In one embodiment, the soundgenerating device includes at least one and preferably a plurality ofspeakers 50 or other sound generating hardware and/or software forgenerating sounds, such as by playing music for the primary and/orsecondary game and/or tournament game or by playing music for othermodes of the gaming device, such as an attract mode. In one embodiment,the music changes based on events in the tournament. For example, as thetournament continues the music changes such as becoming faster orchanges to different songs or types of music after a tournamentelimination. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides dynamicsounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one ormore of the display devices to provide an audio-visual representation orto otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players tothe gaming device. During idle periods, the gaming device may display asequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to attract potentialplayers to the gaming device. The videos may also be customized toprovide any appropriate information.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor, such as acamera, in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled bythe processor), that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of aplayer actively using the gaming device and/or the surrounding area ofthe gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured toselectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may beconfigured to acquire the images in an analog, digital, or othersuitable format. The display devices may be configured to display theimage acquired by the camera as well as to display the visiblemanifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion.For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and theprocessor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or secondarygame as a game image, symbol or indicia. In another example, the cameramay acquire the image of the tournament winner to display to others inthe gaming establishment of the tournament or may be used for promotionsfor future tournaments.

Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering game as theprimary or base game. The gaming machine or device may include some orall of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices. Theprimary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game, cardgame, cascading or falling symbol game, number game, or other game ofchance susceptible to representation in an electronic orelectromechanical form, which in one embodiment produces a randomoutcome based on probability data at the time of or after placement of awager. That is, different primary wagering games, such as video pokergames, video blackjack games, video keno, video bingo or any othersuitable primary or base game may be implemented.

The tournament game may comprise any suitable reel-type game, card game,cascading or falling symbol game, number game, or other game of chancesusceptible to representation in an electronic or electromechanicalform, which in one embodiment produces a random outcome based onprobability data and may or more not require placement of a wager.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a base or primarygame or tournament game may be a slot game with one or more paylines 52.The paylines may be horizontal, vertical, circular, diagonal, angled orany combination thereof. In this embodiment, the gaming device includesat least one and preferably a plurality of reels 54, such as three tofive reels 54, in either electromechanical form with mechanical rotatingreels or video form with simulated reels and movement thereof. In oneembodiment, an electromechanical slot machine includes a plurality ofadjacent, rotatable reels which may be combined and operably coupledwith an electronic display of any suitable type. In another embodiment,if the reels 54 are in video form, one or more of the display devices,as described above, displays the plurality of simulated video reels 54.Each reel 54 displays a plurality of indicia or symbols, such as bells,hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars, or other images which preferablycorrespond to a theme associated with the gaming device. In anotherembodiment, one or more of the reels are independent reels or unisymbolreels. In this embodiment, each independent or unisymbol reel generatesand displays one symbol to the player. In one embodiment, the gamingdevice awards prizes after the reels of the primary game stop spinningif specified types and/or configurations of indicia or symbols occur onan active payline or otherwise occur in a winning pattern, occur on therequisite number of adjacent reels and/or occur in a scatter payarrangement.

In an alternative embodiment, rather than determining any outcome toprovide to the player by analyzing the symbols generated on any wageredupon paylines as described above, the gaming device determines anyoutcome to provide to the player based on the number of associatedsymbols which are generated in active symbol positions on the requisitenumber of adjacent reels (i.e., not on paylines passing through anydisplayed winning symbol combinations). In this embodiment, if a winningsymbol combination is generated on the reels, the gaming device providesthe player one award for that occurrence of the generated winning symbolcombination. For example, if one winning symbol combination is generatedon the reels, the gaming device will provide a single award to theplayer for that winning symbol combination (i.e., not based on thenumber of paylines that would have passed through that winning symbolcombination). It should be appreciated that because a gaming device thatenables wagering on ways to win provides the player one award for asingle occurrence of a winning symbol combination and a gaming devicewith paylines may provide the player more than one award for the sameoccurrence of a single winning symbol combination (i.e., if a pluralityof paylines each pass through the same winning symbol combination), itis possible to provide a player at a ways to win gaming device with moreways to win for an equivalent bet or wager on a traditional slot gamingdevice with paylines.

In one embodiment, the total number of ways to win is determined bymultiplying the number of symbols generated in active symbol positionson a first reel by the number of symbols generated in active symbolpositions on a second reel by the number of symbols generated in activesymbol positions on a third reel and so on for each reel of the gamingdevice with at least one symbol generated in an active symbol position.For example, a three reel gaming device with three symbols generated inactive symbol positions on each reel includes 27 ways to win (i.e., 3symbols on the first reel×3 symbols on the second reel×3 symbols on thethird reel). A four reel gaming device with three symbols generated inactive symbol positions on each reel includes 81 ways to win (i.e., 3symbols on the first reel×3 symbols on the second reel×3 symbols on thethird reel×3 symbols on the fourth reel). A five reel gaming device withthree symbols generated in active symbol positions on each reel includes243 ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel×3 symbols on thesecond reel×3 symbols on the third reel×3 symbols on the fourth reel×3symbols on the fifth reel). It should be appreciated that modifying thenumber of generated symbols by either modifying the number of reels ormodifying the number of symbols generated in active symbol positions byone or more of the reels modifies the number of ways to win.

In another embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to wager onand thus activate symbol positions. In one such embodiment, the symbolpositions are on the reels. In this embodiment, if based on the player'swager, a reel is activated, then each of the symbol positions of thatreel will be activated and each of the active symbol positions will bepart of one or more of the ways to win. In one embodiment, if based onthe player's wager, a reel is not activated, then a designated number ofdefault symbol positions, such as a single symbol position of the middlerow of the reel, will be activated and the default symbol position(s)will be part of one or more of the ways to win. This type of gamingmachine enables a player to wager on one, more than one or all of thereels and the processor of the gaming device uses the number of wageredon reels to determine the active symbol positions and the number ofpossible ways to win. In alternative embodiments, (1) no symbols aredisplayed as generated at any of the inactive symbol positions, or (2)any symbols generated at any inactive symbol positions may be displayedto the player but suitably shaded or otherwise designated as inactive.

In one embodiment wherein a player wagers on one or more reels, aplayer's wager of one credit may activate each of the three symbolpositions on a first reel, wherein one default symbol position isactivated on each of the remaining four reels. In this example, asdescribed above, the gaming device provides the player three ways to win(i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel×1 symbol on the second reel×1 symbolon the third reel×1 symbol on the fourth reel×1 symbol on the fifthreel). In another example, a player's wager of nine credits may activateeach of the three symbol positions on a first reel, each of the threesymbol positions on a second reel and each of the three symbol positionson a third reel wherein one default symbol position is activated on eachof the remaining two reels. In this example, as described above, thegaming device provides the player twenty-seven ways to win (i.e., 3symbols on the first reel×3 symbols on the second reel×3 symbols on thethird reel×1 symbol on the fourth reel×1 symbol on the fifth reel).

In one embodiment, to determine any award(s) to provide to the playerbased on the generated symbols, the gaming device individuallydetermines if a symbol generated in an active symbol position on a firstreel forms part of a winning symbol combination with or is otherwisesuitably related to a symbol generated in an active symbol position on asecond reel. In this embodiment, the gaming device classifies each pairof symbols which form part of a winning symbol combination (i.e., eachpair of related symbols) as a string of related symbols. For example, ifactive symbol positions include a first cherry symbol generated in thetop row of a first reel and a second cherry symbol generated in thebottom row of a second reel, the gaming device classifies the two cherrysymbols as a string of related symbols because the two cherry symbolsform part of a winning symbol combination.

After determining if any strings of related symbols are formed betweenthe symbols on the first reel and the symbols on the second reel, thegaming device determines if any of the symbols from the next adjacentreel should be added to any of the formed strings of related symbols. Inthis embodiment, for a first of the classified strings of relatedsymbols, the gaming device determines if any of the symbols generated bythe next adjacent reel form part of a winning symbol combination or areotherwise related to the symbols of the first string of related symbols.If the gaming device determines that a symbol generated on the nextadjacent reel is related to the symbols of the first string of relatedsymbols, that symbol is subsequently added to the first string ofrelated symbols. For example, if the first string of related symbols isthe string of related cherry symbols and a related cherry symbol isgenerated in the middle row of the third reel, the gaming device addsthe related cherry symbol generated on the third reel to the previouslyclassified string of cherry symbols.

On the other hand, if the gaming device determines that no symbolsgenerated on the next adjacent reel are related to the symbols of thefirst string of related symbols, the gaming device marks or flags suchstring of related symbols as complete. For example, if the first stringof related symbols is the string of related cherry symbols and none ofthe symbols of the third reel are related to the cherry symbols of thepreviously classified string of cherry symbols, the gaming device marksor flags the string of two cherry symbols as complete.

After either adding a related symbol to the first string of relatedsymbols or marking the first string of related symbols as complete, thegaming device proceeds as described above for each of the remainingclassified strings of related symbols which were previously classifiedor formed from related symbols on the first and second reels.

After analyzing each of the remaining strings of related symbols, thegaming device determines, for each remaining pending or incompletestring of related symbols, if any of the symbols from the next adjacentreel, if any, should be added to any of the previously classifiedstrings of related symbols. This process continues until either eachstring of related symbols is complete or there are no more adjacentreels of symbols to analyze. In this embodiment, where there are no moreadjacent reels of symbols to analyze, the gaming device marks each ofthe remaining pending strings of related symbols as complete.

When each of the strings of related symbols is marked complete, thegaming device compares each of the strings of related symbols to anappropriate paytable and provides the player any award associated witheach of the completed strings of symbols. It should be appreciated thatthe player is provided one award, if any, for each string of relatedsymbols generated in active symbol positions (i.e., as opposed to aquantity of awards being based on how many paylines that would havepassed through each of the strings of related symbols in active symbolpositions).

In one embodiment, a base or primary game or tournament game may be apoker game wherein the gaming device enables the player to play aconventional game of video draw poker and initially deals five cards allface up from a virtual deck of fifty-two cards. Cards may be dealt as ina traditional game of cards or in the case of the gaming device, thecards may be randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. Ifthe player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold via oneor more input devices, such as by pressing related hold buttons or viathe touch screen. The player then presses the deal button and theunwanted or discarded cards are removed from the display and the gamingmachine deals the replacement cards from the remaining cards in thedeck. This results in a final five-card hand. The gaming device comparesthe final five-card hand to a payout table which utilizes conventionalpoker hand rankings to determine the winning hands. The gaming deviceprovides the player with an award based on a winning hand and the numberof credits the player wagered.

In another embodiment, the base or primary or tournament game may be amulti-hand version of video poker. In this embodiment, the gaming devicedeals the player at least two hands of cards. In one such embodiment,the cards are the same cards. In one embodiment each hand of cards isassociated with its own deck of cards. The player chooses the cards tohold in a primary hand. The held cards in the primary hand are also heldin the other hands of cards. The remaining non-held cards are removedfrom each hand displayed and for each hand replacement cards arerandomly dealt into that hand. Since the replacement cards are randomlydealt independently for each hand, the replacement cards for each handwill usually be different. The poker hand rankings are then determinedhand by hand against a payout table and awards are provided to theplayer.

In one embodiment, a base or primary game or tournament game may be akeno game wherein the gaming device displays a plurality of selectableindicia or numbers on at least one of the display devices. In thisembodiment, the player selects at least one bit potentially a pluralityof the selectable indicia or numbers via an input device such as a touchscreen. The gaming device then displays a series of drawn numbers anddetermine an amount of matches, if any, between the player's selectednumbers and the gaming device's drawn numbers. The player is provided anaward based on the amount of matches, if any, based on the amount ofdetermined matches and the number of numbers drawn.

In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits or other awards in abase or primary game, the gaming device may also give players theopportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game or in a bonus orsecondary round or in a tournament. The bonus game, secondary game ortournament enables the player to obtain a prize or payout in addition tothe prize or payout, if any, obtained from the base or primary game. Ingeneral, a bonus or secondary game or a tournament produces asignificantly higher level of player excitement than the base or primarygame because it provides a greater expectation of winning than the baseor primary game, and is accompanied with more attractive or unusualfeatures than the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the bonus orsecondary game or tournament game may be any type of suitable game,either similar to or completely different from the base or primary game.

In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may be aselected outcome in the primary game or a particular arrangement of oneor more indicia on a display device in the primary game, such as thenumber seven appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline in theprimary slot game embodiment seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In otherembodiments, the triggering event or qualifying condition occurs basedon exceeding a certain amount of game play (such as number of games,number of credits, amount of time), or reaching a specified number ofpoints earned during game play.

In another embodiment, the gaming device processor 12 or centralcontroller 56 randomly provides the player one or more plays of one ormore secondary games. In one such embodiment, the gaming device does notprovide any apparent reason to the player for qualifying to play asecondary or bonus game. In this embodiment, qualifying for a bonus gameis not triggered by an event in or based specifically on any of theplays of any primary game. That is, the gaming device may simply qualifya player to play a secondary game without any explanation oralternatively with simple explanations. In another embodiment, thegaming device (or central server) qualifies a player for a secondarygame at least partially based on a game triggered or symbol triggeredevent, such as at least partially based on the play of a primary game.

In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a program which willautomatically begin a bonus round after the player has achieved atriggering event or qualifying condition in the base or primary game. Inanother embodiment, after a player has qualified for a bonus game, theplayer may subsequently enhance his/her bonus game participation throughcontinued play on the base or primary game. Thus, for each bonusqualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player obtains, agiven number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be accumulatedin a “bonus meter” programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits orentries toward eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence ofmultiple such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result inan arithmetic or exponential increase in the number of bonus wageringcredits awarded. In one embodiment, the player may redeem extra bonuswagering credits during the bonus game to extend play of the bonus game.

In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy-in for a bonus game ortournament is needed. That is, a player may not purchase entry into abonus game or tournament; rather they must win or earn entry throughplay of the primary game, thus encouraging play of the primary game. Inanother embodiment, qualification of the bonus or secondary game ortournament is accomplished through a simple “buy-in” by the player—forexample, if the player has been unsuccessful at qualifying through otherspecified activities. In another embodiment, the player must make aseparate side-wager on the bonus game or tournament or wager adesignated amount in the primary game to qualify for the secondary gameor tournament. In this embodiment, the secondary game triggering eventmust occur and the side-wager (or designated primary game wager amount)must have been placed to trigger the secondary game.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, one or more of the gamingdevices 10 are in communication with each other and/or at least onecentral controller 56 through a data network or remote communicationlink 58. In this embodiment, the central server, central controller orremote host is any suitable server or computing device which includes atleast one processor and at least one memory or storage device. Indifferent such embodiments, the central server is a progressivecontroller or a processor of one of the gaming devices in the gamingsystem. In these embodiments, the processor of each gaming device isdesigned to transmit and receive events, messages, commands, or anyother suitable data or signal between the individual gaming device andthe central server. The gaming device processor is operable to executesuch communicated events, messages, or commands in conjunction with theoperation of the gaming device. Moreover, the processor of the centralserver is designed to transmit and receive events, messages, commands,or any other suitable data or signal between the central server and eachof the individual gaming devices. The central server processor isoperable to execute such communicated events, messages, or commands inconjunction with the operation of the central server. It should beappreciated that one, more or each of the functions of the centralcontroller, central server or remote host as disclosed herein may beperformed by one or more gaming device processors. It should be furtherappreciated that one, more or each of the functions of one or moregaming device processors as disclosed herein may be performed by thecentral controller, central server or remote host.

In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determinedby a central server or controller and provided to the player at thegaming device. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gamingdevices are in communication with the central server or controller. Upona player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices, theinitiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to thecentral server or controller.

In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the gameoutcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primarygame based on probability data. In another embodiment, the centralserver or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondarygame based on probability data. In another embodiment, the centralserver or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both theprimary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In thisembodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing andutilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memorydevice of the gaming device.

In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintainsone or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes.In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the gameoutcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcomefrom a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controllerflags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome isflagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set orpool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server uponanother wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary gameoutcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes,or a series of game outcomes such as free games.

The central server or controller communicates the generated or selectedgame outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receivesthe generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome tothe player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selectedgame outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as areel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in acard game, is also determined by the central server or controller andcommunicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayedto the player. Central production or control can assist a gamingestablishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records,controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic orother errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility, and the like.

In another embodiment, a predetermined game outcome value is determinedfor each of a plurality of linked or networked gaming devices based onthe results of a bingo, keno, or lottery game. In this embodiment, eachindividual gaming device utilizes one or more bingo, keno, or lotterygames to determine the predetermined game outcome value provided to theplayer for the interactive game played at that gaming device. In oneembodiment, the bingo, keno, or lottery game is displayed to the player.In another embodiment, the bingo, keno or lottery game is not displayedto the player, but the results of the bingo, keno, or lottery gamedetermine the predetermined game outcome value for the primary orsecondary game.

In the various bingo embodiments, as each gaming device is enrolled inthe bingo game, such as upon an appropriate wager or engaging an inputdevice, the enrolled gaming device is provided or associated with adifferent bingo card. Each bingo card consists of a matrix or array ofelements, wherein each element is designated with a separate indicia,such as a number. It should be appreciated that each different bingocard includes a different combination of elements. For example, if fourbingo cards are provided to four enrolled gaming devices, the sameelement may be present on all four of the bingo cards while anotherelement may solely be present on one of the bingo cards.

In operation of these embodiments, upon providing or associating adifferent bingo card with each of a plurality of enrolled gamingdevices, the central controller randomly selects or draws, one at atime, a plurality of the elements. As each element is selected, adetermination is made for each gaming device as to whether the selectedelement is present on the bingo card provided to that enrolled gamingdevice. This determination can be made by the central controller, thegaming device, a combination of the two, or in any other suitablemanner. If the selected element is present on the bingo card provided tothat enrolled gaming device, that selected element on the provided bingocard is marked or flagged. This process of selecting elements andmarking any selected elements on the provided bingo cards continuesuntil one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one or more ofthe provided bingo cards. It should be appreciated that in oneembodiment, the gaming device requires the player to engage a daubbutton (not shown) to initiate the process of the gaming device markingor flagging any selected elements.

After one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one or more ofthe provided bingo cards, a game outcome is determined for each of theenrolled gaming devices based, at least in part, on the selectedelements on the provided bingo cards. As described above, the gameoutcome determined for each gaming device enrolled in the bingo game isutilized by that gaming device to determine the predetermined gameoutcome provided to the player. For example, a first gaming device tohave selected elements marked in a predetermined pattern is provided afirst outcome of win $10 which will be provided to a first playerregardless of how the first player plays in a first game, and a secondgaming device to have selected elements marked in a differentpredetermined pattern is provided a second outcome of win $2 which willbe provided to a second player regardless of how the second player playsa second game. It should be appreciated that as the process of markingselected elements continues until one or more predetermined patterns aremarked, this embodiment ensures that at least one bingo card will winthe bingo game and thus at least one enrolled gaming device will providea predetermined winning game outcome to a player. It should beappreciated that other suitable methods for selecting or determining oneor more predetermined game outcomes may be employed.

In one example of the above-described embodiment, the predetermined gameoutcome may be based on a supplemental award in addition to any awardprovided for winning the bingo game as described above. In thisembodiment, if one or more elements are marked in supplemental patternswithin a designated number of drawn elements, a supplemental orintermittent award or value associated with the marked supplementalpattern is provided to the player as part of the predetermined gameoutcome. For example, if the four corners of a bingo card are markedwithin the first twenty selected elements, a supplemental award of $10is provided to the player as part of the predetermined game outcome. Itshould be appreciated that in this embodiment, the player of a gamingdevice may be provided a supplemental or intermittent award regardlessof whether the enrolled gaming device's provided bingo card wins or doesnot win the bingo game as described above.

In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices are incommunication with a central server or controller for monitoringpurposes only. That is, each individual gaming device randomly generatesthe game outcomes to be provided to the player and the central server orcontroller monitors the activities and events occurring on the pluralityof gaming devices. In one embodiment, the gaming network includes areal-time or on-line accounting and gaming information system operablycoupled to the central server or controller. The accounting and gaminginformation system of this embodiment includes a player database forstoring player profiles, a player tracking module for tracking playersand a credit system for providing automated casino transactions.

In one embodiment, the gaming device disclosed herein is associated withor otherwise integrated with one or more player tracking systems. Playertracking systems enable gaming establishments to recognize the value ofcustomer loyalty through identifying frequent customers and rewardingthem for their patronage. In one embodiment, the gaming device and/orplayer tracking system tracks any player's gaming activity at the gamingdevice. In one such embodiment, the gaming device includes at least onecard reader 38 in communication with the processor. In this embodiment,a player is issued a player identification card which has an encodedplayer identification number that uniquely identifies the player. When aplayer inserts their playing tracking card into the card reader to begina gaming session, the card reader reads the player identification numberoff the player tracking card to identify the player. The gaming deviceand/or associated player tracking system timely tracks any suitableinformation or data relating to the identified player's gaming session.Directly or via the central controller, the gaming device processorcommunicates such information to the player tracking system. The gamingdevice and/or associated player tracking system also timely tracks whena player removes their player tracking card when concluding play forthat gaming session. In another embodiment, rather than requiring aplayer to insert a player tracking card, the gaming device utilizes oneor more portable devices carried by a player, such as a cell phone, aradio frequency identification tag or any other suitable wireless deviceto track when a player begins and ends a gaming session. In anotherembodiment, the gaming device utilizes any suitable biometric technologyor ticket technology to track when a player begins and ends a gamingsession.

During one or more gaming sessions, the gaming device and/or playertracking system tracks any suitable information or data, such as anyamounts wagered, average wager amounts, and/or the time at which thesewagers are placed. In different embodiments, for one or more players,the player tracking system includes the player's account number, theplayer's card number, the player's first name, the player's surname, theplayer's preferred name, the player's player tracking ranking, anypromotion status associated with the player's player tracking card, theplayer's address, the player's birthday, the player's anniversary, theplayer's recent gaming sessions, or any other suitable data. In oneembodiment, such tracked information and/or any suitable featureassociated with the player tracking system is displayed on a playertracking display 40. In another embodiment, such tracked informationand/or any suitable feature associated with the player tracking systemis displayed via one or more service windows (not shown) which aredisplayed on the central display device and/or the upper display device.In one embodiment, the service window displays tournament information ortournament games to the players. That is, the service window is used torelay information about the tournament to the players. In one suchembodiment, the gaming system enables the players to play non-tournamentgames and simultaneously displays tournament information or games viathe service window and non-tournament games.

In one embodiment, a plurality of the gaming devices are capable ofbeing connected together through a data network. In one embodiment, thedata network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more of thegaming devices are substantially proximate to each other and an on-sitecentral server or controller as in, for example, a gaming establishmentor a portion of a gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the datanetwork is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gamingdevices are in communication with at least one off-site central serveror controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices maybe located in a different part of the gaming establishment or within adifferent gaming establishment than the off-site central server orcontroller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central server orcontroller and an off-site gaming device located within gamingestablishments in the same geographic area, such as a city or state. TheWAN gaming system may be substantially identical to the LAN gamingsystem described above, although the number of gaming devices in eachsystem may vary relative to one another.

In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet. Inthis embodiment, the operation of the gaming device can be viewed at thegaming device with at least one internet browser. In this embodiment,operation of the gaming device and accumulation of credits may beaccomplished with only a connection to the central server or controller(the internet/intranet server) through a conventional phone or otherdata transmission line, digital subscriber line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxialcable, fiber optic cable, or other suitable connection. In thisembodiment, players may access an internet game page from any locationwhere an internet connection and computer or other internet facilitatoris available. The expansion in the number of computers and number andspeed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunitiesfor players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. Itshould be appreciated that the enhanced bandwidth of digital wirelesscommunications may render such technology suitable for some or allcommunications, particularly if such communications are encrypted.Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing thesophistication and response of the display and interaction with theplayer.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure may be employed in aserver-based gaming system. In one such embodiment, as described above,one or more gaming devices are in communication with a central server orcontroller. The central server or controller may be any suitable serveror computing device which includes at least one processor and a memoryor storage device. In alternative embodiments, the central server is aprogressive controller or another gaming machine in the gaming system.In one embodiment, the memory device of the central server storesdifferent game programs and instructions, executable by a gaming deviceprocessor, to control the gaming device. Each executable game programrepresents a different game or type of game which may be played on oneor more of the gaming devices in the gaming system. Such different gamesmay include the same or substantially the same game play with differentpay tables. In different embodiments, the executable game program is fora primary game, a secondary game or both. In another embodiment, thegame program may be executable as a secondary game to be playedsimultaneous with the play of a primary game (which may be downloaded toor fixed on the gaming device) or vice versa.

In this embodiment, each gaming device at least includes one or moredisplay devices and/or one or more input devices for interaction with aplayer. A local processor, such as the above-described gaming deviceprocessor or a processor of a local server, is operable with the displaydevice(s) and/or the input device(s) of one or more of the gamingdevices.

In operation, the central controller is operable to communicate one ormore of the stored game programs to at least one local processor. Indifferent embodiments, the stored game programs are communicated ordelivered by embedding the communicated game program in a device or acomponent (e.g., a microchip to be inserted in a gaming device), writingthe game program on a disc or other media, or downloading or streamingthe game program over a dedicated data network, internet, or a telephoneline. After the stored game programs are communicated from the centralserver, the local processor executes the communicated program tofacilitate play of the communicated program by a player through thedisplay device(s) and/or input device(s) of the gaming device. That is,when a game program is communicated to a local processor, the localprocessor changes the game or type of game played at the gaming device.

In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices at one or moregaming sites may be networked to the central server in a progressiveconfiguration, as known in the art, wherein a portion of each wager toinitiate a base or primary game may be allocated to one or moreprogressive awards. In one embodiment, a progressive gaming system hostsite computer is coupled to a plurality of the central servers at avariety of mutually remote gaming sites for providing a multi-sitelinked progressive automated gaming system. In one embodiment, aprogressive gaming system host site computer may serve gaming devicesdistributed throughout a number of properties at different geographicallocations including, for example, different locations within a city ordifferent cities within a state.

In one embodiment, the progressive gaming system host site computer ismaintained for the overall operation and control of the progressivegaming system. In this embodiment, a progressive gaming system host sitecomputer oversees the entire progressive gaming system and is the masterfor computing all progressive jackpots. All participating gaming sitesreport to, and receive information from, the progressive gaming systemhost site computer. Each central server computer is responsible for alldata communication between the gaming device hardware and software andthe progressive gaming system host site computer. In one embodiment, anindividual gaming machine may trigger a progressive award win. Inanother embodiment, a central server (or the progressive gaming systemhost site computer) determines when a progressive award win istriggered. In another embodiment, an individual gaming machine and acentral controller (or progressive gaming system host site computer)work in conjunction with each other to determine when a progressive winis triggered, for example through an individual gaming machine meeting apredetermined requirement established by the central controller.

In one embodiment, a progressive award win is triggered based on one ormore game play events, such as a symbol-driven trigger. In otherembodiments, the progressive award triggering event or qualifyingcondition may be achieved by exceeding a certain amount of game play(such as number of games, number of credits, or amount of time), orreaching a specified number of points earned during game play. Inanother embodiment, a gaming device is randomly or apparently randomlyselected to provide a player of that gaming device one or moreprogressive awards. In one such embodiment, the gaming device does notprovide any apparent reasons to the player for winning a progressiveaward, wherein winning the progressive award is not triggered by anevent in or based specifically on any of the plays of any primary game.That is, a player is provided a progressive award without anyexplanation or alternatively with simple explanations. In anotherembodiment, a player is provided a progressive award at least partiallybased on a game triggered or symbol triggered event, such as at leastpartially based on the play of a primary game.

In one embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are each fundedvia a side bet or side wager. In this embodiment, a player must place orwager a side bet to be eligible to win the progressive award associatedwith the side bet. In one embodiment, the player must place the maximumbet and the side bet to be eligible to win one of the progressiveawards. In another embodiment, if the player places or wagers therequired side bet, the player may wager at any credit amount during theprimary game (i.e., the player need not place the maximum bet and theside bet to be eligible to win one of the progressive awards). In onesuch embodiment, the greater the player's wager (in addition to theplaced side bet), the greater the odds or probability that the playerwill win one of the progressive awards. It should be appreciated thatone or more of the progressive awards may each be funded, at least inpart, based on the wagers placed on the primary games of the gamingmachines in the gaming system, via a gaming establishment or via anysuitable manner.

In another embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards arepartially funded via a side-bet or side-wager which the player may make(and which may be tracked via a side-bet meter). In one embodiment, oneor more of the progressive awards are funded with only side-bets orside-wagers placed. In another embodiment, one or more of theprogressive awards are funded based on player's wagers as describedabove as well as any side-bets or side-wagers placed.

In one alternative embodiment, a minimum wager level is required for agaming device to qualify to be selected to obtain one of the progressiveawards. In one embodiment, this minimum wager level is the maximum wagerlevel for the primary game in the gaming machine. In another embodiment,no minimum wager level is required for a gaming machine to qualify to beselected to obtain one of the progressive awards.

In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of linkedgaming devices in a gaming system participate in a group gamingenvironment. In one embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality oflinked gaming devices work in conjunction with one another, such as byplaying together as a team or group, to win one or more awards. In onesuch embodiment, any award won by the group is shared, either equally orbased on any suitable criteria, amongst the different players of thegroup. In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality oflinked gaming devices compete against one another for one or moreawards.

Tournament Play

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in one embodiment the gaming system enablesplayers to play non-tournament games at a plurality of gaming machinesas illustrated in block 102. In one embodiment, upon an occurrence oftournament qualifying event at one of the gaming machines, the gamingsystem qualifies the player at that gaming machine to play in thetournament as illustrated in block 104. It should be appreciated thatthe gaming system may determine the tournament qualifications for theplayers in any suitable manner.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, upon an occurrence of a tournament triggeringevent, in one embodiment, the gaming system begins the tournament byproviding each qualified player a same number of initial tournamentgames as illustrated in block 106. In one embodiment, the gaming systemprovides each award won by each player during the play of the tournamentgames to that player. It should be appreciated that the tournament gamemay be any suitable type of game. In one embodiment, all of thetournament games are the same types of games. For example, the gamingsystem provides each player 10 slot games in the tournament. The gamingsystem determines an average expected payout value for each providedtournament game. In one embodiment, each of the players is provided thesame type of tournament game and has the same average expected payoutvalue for each provided tournament game. For example, in one embodimentthe average expected payout value of each provided tournament game isone dollar. In another embodiment, one or more players' tournament gameshave different average expected payout values. For example, player 1 hasan average expected tournament game payout value of 2 dollars and player2 has an average expected tournament game payout value of 3 dollars.

As illustrated in block 108, the gaming system provides a tournamentgame outcome for each tournament game played, and indicates any creditsassociated with the provided tournament outcome. For example, if theplayer is playing a slot game and wins 10 credits from that slot game,the gaming system indicates to the player that they win 10 credits. Thegaming system accumulates or tracks each of the player's credits todetermine the elimination of the players and the winner of thetournament. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides the playersthe number of credits won in the tournament. For example, if the playerwins 50 credits in the tournament, at the end of the play of thatplayer's tournament, the gaming system enables the player to cash outand keep those 50 credits.

As illustrated in block 110, upon an occurrence of a player eliminationtriggering event, the gaming system eliminates at least one player fromthe tournament. It should be appreciated that the player eliminationtriggering event may be any suitable event or combinations of eventsincluding but not limited to a duration of time, a number of gamesplayed, one or more players winning a designated number of credits orpoints, an amount won by the players in the tournament and an operatorinput. In one embodiment, the player elimination triggering event isdetermined based on the number of players participating in thetournament.

As illustrated in block 112, the gaming system sums or accumulates theaverage expected payout value of each unplayed tournament game of theeliminated player(s) to add to the tournament award. For example, if theaverage expected payout value is 10 credits per tournament game for eachtournament player and if each player is provided 10 games and twoplayers are eliminated at game six, the gaming system would then totalthe values of each unplayed average expected tournament game value. Atgame six, the tournament award would be 80 credits ((4 unplayed games×10credits)+(4 unplayed games×10 credits)). That is, the tournament awardprovided to one or more tournament winners includes the values of theaverage expected payout value for each of the unplayed games of theeliminated players.

As illustrated in block 114, at the end of the tournament, the gamingsystem provides the tournament award to at least one tournament winner.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are tables illustrating a tournament award funded by theaverage expected payout value of the tournament games played of theeliminated players.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in this example embodiment, the tournamentincludes six players in the tournament and the gaming system provideseach of the tournament players 10 games. The first column 202 includesthe number of players 1 through 6. The second column 204 includes thenumber of initial games provided to the players which is 10 games toeach of the six players. The third column 206 provides the averageexpected payout values of the tournament games. The fourth column 208provides the number of tournament games played by the tournamentplayers. The fifth column 210 provides the amount added to thetournament award upon the elimination of that player. As illustrated inthe chart 200 in FIG. 4, the first player 210 is provided the 10 gamesand is eliminated after 6 games. The second player 212 is provided 10games and is also eliminated after 6 games. Therefore, the gaming systemadds $4 to the tournament award for each of the first two players (4unplayed tournament games×$1 a tournament game). The third player 214 isprovided 10 games and is eliminated after 4 games. The fourth player 216is provided 10 games and is eliminated after 4 games. Therefore, thegaming system adds $6 to the tournament award for each of the third andfourth players (6 unplayed tournament games×$1 a tournament game).Therefore, the tournament award includes the average expected tournamentgame values of these unplayed games. The tournament award is 20 dollarswhich includes the average expected payout values of the unplayed gamesof the eliminated players. In this illustrated embodiment each of theplayers has a same average expected tournament game value and everyaspect and element of each player's tournament play is the same.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in one embodiment one or more players areprovided an advantage in the tournament or an element of the tournamentis different for one or more players. In one embodiment, the gamingsystem determines the advantage based on one or more elements, aspectsor outcomes in a base game. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the chart 300includes a number of players column 302, the number of tournament gamesprovided column 304, the number of tournament games played column 306,the average expected tournament game payout value column 308, amultiplier column 310 and an amount contributed to the tournament awardcolumn 312. In one embodiment, one or more of the tournament players areprovided one or more different game modifiers, such as the multipliers,based on one or more elements of the base game play that qualifies theplayer for the tournament.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first player 312 is provided 10 games andplays 6 of these games with an average expected of 1 dollar a game and amultiplier of 2. Therefore, the gaming system contributes $8 to thetournament award based on the unplayed games of player one (4 unplayedgames×$1 a game×2 multiplier). The second player plays 6 games beforethat player is eliminated and has 4 unplayed tournament games and has amultiplier of 6. Therefore, the amount contributed to the tournamentaward based on the unplayed games of the second player is 24 (4 unplayedgames×1 a game×6 multiplier). The third player 316 plays only 4tournament games has a multiplier of 4. Therefore, the gaming systemcontributes 24 credits to the tournament award from the unplayed gamesfrom the third player (6×1×4). The fourth player also only plays 4 gamesbut has a multiplier of 2. Therefore, the gaming system allocates 12credits to the tournament award for the unplayed games of the fourthplayer (6 unplayed games×$1 a game×2 multiplier). Therefore, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the tournament award includes the averageexpected payout values of the unplayed games of players one, two, threeand four which is 68 dollars. As illustrated FIG. 5, players 5 and 6play all 10 games. It should be appreciated that the tournamentadvantage or tournament element is not limited to a multiplier but maybe any suitable tournament advantage or tournament element.Additionally, in different embodiments, each player does not receive atournament advantage or tournament element. For example, only 2 out of10 players receive a multiplier for the tournament. In another example,2 out of 10 players receive an extra tournament game in the tournament.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F and 6G illustrate one embodiment of atournament where the tournament qualifying event is achieving symbolcombination in a base game, and the tournament elimination triggeringevents are a number of games played by the players. In this example, theplayers are eliminated based on credits won in the tournament. Theplayers are eliminated from the tournament at the end of game 4 and game8.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, in one embodiment, the player must obtain thesymbol combination star, star, star on an active payline in a slot basegame to qualify for the tournament. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, theplayer qualified for the tournament.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the gaming system informs the player that thetournament will begin in five minutes, so the player needs to stay andplay awaiting the start of the tournament. In one embodiment, the playermust continually actively play on the gaming device to play in thetournament.

As illustrated in FIG. 6C, the gaming system informs the player (player4 in the tournament) that the tournament is beginning and in oneembodiment, the player gets 10 initial free tournament games. In oneembodiment, the gaming system provides each of the players the same typeand the same number of free initial tournament games.

As illustrated in FIG. 6D, player four is playing the tournament. Thegaming system informs the player that they have 100 tournament creditsand illustrates game 4 of the tournament for that player. The gamingsystem informs the player that they were not eliminated because theyhave 100 tournament credits.

FIG. 6E is a chart 404 that illustrates the tournament award at the endof game 4. The chart illustrates that there are 10 players in thetournament in the first column 406. The gaming system provides each ofthe 10 players 10 free tournament games at the beginning of thetournament as illustrated in the second column 408. The third column 410illustrates how many tournament games were actually played by eachplayer during the tournament. The fourth column 412 illustrates theaverage expected tournament game payout value which is 1 credit. Thefifth column 413 illustrates the amount contributed to the tournamentaward based on each of the eliminated players

As illustrated in FIG. 6E, player 6 indicated by number 414 and player 9indicated by number 416 were each eliminated after game 4 of thetournament. Therefore, player 6 and player 9 each only played 4 games ofthe tournament. Therefore, the tournament award at the end of game 4includes the average expected payout values of the 6 unplayed games foreach of the 2 players valued at 1 credit per game. At the end of Game 4,the tournament award is 12 credits.

As illustrated in FIG. 6F, the gaming system eliminates 2 more playersat the end of game 8. Player four is eliminated because the player has150 credits, but the player needed more to be in the top 6 players ofthe tournament. In one embodiment, the elimination is based on thenumber of credits the players won in the tournament. The gaming systemdetermines which players to eliminate based on the number of creditsthey have won in the tournament.

FIG. 6G is a chart 420 that illustrates the tournament award at the endof game 8. At game 8, players 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 10 are still playingthe tournament. Therefore, the gaming system does not contribute anycredits to the tournament awards based on those players. The tournamentaward includes the 12 credits accumulated from the prior two players 6and 9 being eliminated from the tournament. The tournament award nowincludes an additional 4 credits from players 4 and 7 which wereeliminated from the tournament. That is, player 4 indicated by number420 and player 7 indicated by number 422 each played 8 games in thetournament, and therefore, do not play 2 games of the tournament withthe value of 1 credit per game. Therefore, the tournament award at theend of game 8 is 16 credits. The tournament proceeds to end after theend of 10 games. In one embodiment, the player with the highest numberof credits wins the tournament. Therefore, the players are noteliminated then compete for the tournament award. In one embodiment,each of the players keep each of the credits that they won throughoutthe tournament.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 7G, 7H, 7I, 7J, and 7K illustrate anembodiment of the tournament where one or more elements of the base gamedetermine an advantage or an element of one or more player's tournamentgames. In the illustrated embodiment, if the player wagers more andqualifies for the tournament, the player is able to win more in thetournament because a multiplier that is applied to the tournament gamesis determined by the amount the player wagers in the base game. That is,the amount a player wagers in the qualifying base game determines theamount of a multiplier or modifier the player receives in the tournamentthat is applied to each tournament game played. In this embodiment, thegaming system provides the player an incentive to wager more in the basegame to receive a better tournament element or advantage.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the gaming device informs one of the players,player 2, while they are playing a non-tournament game that if theplayer wagers more the player will win more in the tournament if theyqualify for the tournament.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, in one embodiment, the tournament qualifyingevent is a game outcome in the primary or base game. As illustrated inFIG. 7B, the player achieves the 3 stars needed to advance in thetournament, and the player wagered 2 credits per payline. Therefore inthe illustrated embodiment, player 2 starts the tournament with amultiplier of 2. In this embodiment once the player qualifies for thetournament, they can keep playing the base game and keep wagering to tryto achieve a higher multiplier for the tournament. In this exampleembodiment, each time a player receives the tournament qualifying eventof a specific game outcome generated in the base game, the gaming systemincreases their modifier based on the amount of the wager in thatqualifying base game.

As illustrated in FIG. 7C, player 2 continues playing non-tournamentgames until the tournament begins. The gaming system informs the playerthat they won the 3 stars again and now the player gets a multiplier of4, and the tournament begins then.

FIG. 7D is a chart 504 illustrating a first column 506 that illustrates5 players in the tournament and includes a second column 508 thatillustrates the multiplier corresponding to each player for tournamentplay. As illustrated in FIG. 7D, player 1 has a multiplier of 1 or doesnot win any multiplier. Player 2 has a multiplier of 2. Player 3 has amultiplier of 4. Player 4 has a multiplier of 8, and player 5 has amultiplier of 2.

FIG. 7E illustrates tournament game 1 for player 2 who has a multiplierof 2. In tournament game 1, the display device 510 for player number 2displays a tournament game 512. The player wins 212 credits for thistournament game. The player receives 3 cherries which is worth 6 creditsin this embodiment. The player has a multiplier of 2 so the threecherries are worth 12 credits. The player wins 3 bars in the paylinewhich equals an award of 100 credits and has a multiplier of 2 which is200 credits.

FIG. 7F illustrates tournament game 1 516 for player 4 on the displaydevice 512 for that player's gaming device. The gaming device displays atournament game 514 that provides for an award of 400 credits. Theplayer achieves 3 sevens on one of the paylines which is an award of 50.The player wins 400 credits because they have a multiplier of 8.

FIG. 7G illustrates a common display device or a leader board 516 thatdisplays the standings of the players at the end of game 5. Player 1 has50 credits. Player 2 has 550 credits. Player 3 has 700 credits. Player 4has 890 credits and player 5 has 300 credits. At this point in thetournament, 2 players are eliminated from the tournament. The playerelimination triggering event is the end of game 5. Players 1 and 5 areboth eliminated from the tournament because they have the lowestaccumulated credits.

FIG. 7H is a chart 518 that displays the tournament award at the end ofgame 5. Players 1 and 5 are eliminated from the tournament but eachplayed 5 games. The value of each of the unplayed games is 10 credits.Player 1 has a multiplier of 1 and player 5 has a multiplier of 2.Therefore, the amount contributed to the tournament award for the firstplayer's unplayed games is 50 credits (5×10). The value of the unplayedgames for the fifth player are 100 credits (5×10×2). Therefore, at theend of game 5, the tournament award is worth 150 credits.

FIG. 7I illustrates the leader board at game 8 which in this embodimentis a second player elimination triggering event. As illustrated in FIG.7I, player 2 is eliminated. Player 2 has the score of 800 credits whileplayer 3 has a score of 825 credits and player 4 has a score 1050credits.

FIG. 7J illustrates the tournament award at the end of game 8. Thetournament award at game 8 is worth 190 credits. The gaming systemcontributed 50 credits based on the first player's elimination asillustrated in FIG. 7H. The gaming system contributed 100 credits basedon the fifth player's elimination as illustrated in FIG. 7H. The gamingsystem contributed of 40 credits based on the second player'selimination (2 unplayed games×10 credits per game×a multiplier of 4). Inthis embodiment, the last player elimination triggering event is theoccurrence of game 8, therefore this is the final tournament award.

FIG. 7K illustrates a screen shot from player 4's display device at theend of the tournament at the end of game 10. The gaming device informsthe player that they win the tournament. The player wins 1400 creditswhich are the player's credits won in the tournament and 190 credits forthe tournament award. In one embodiment, the player wins credits thatare won by the player in the tournament. In another embodiment thetournament credits are just used to determine which tournament playerwins the tournament.

It should be appreciated that the element or advantage provided to thetournament players may be any suitable element or advantage. In oneembodiment, the tournament element or advantage is a modifier, such as amultiplier. In another embodiment, the tournament element or advantageis a different number of initial tournament games. That is, differentnumbers of initial tournament games are provided to different players.In another embodiment, an element of the tournament game provided tomultiple tournament players is different. For example, different playershave different numbers of active paylines in the tournament games. Inanother example, different players have different paytables in thetournament games. In another example, different players have differentnumbers of winning symbols in the tournament. In another embodiment,different players have different probabilities of generating winningsymbols or winning symbol combinations in the tournament. In anotherembodiment, the gaming system provides one or more players the advantageof having a head start in the object of winning the tournament. Forexample, in one embodiment, the gaming system provides one or moreplayers an initial number of credits to begin the tournament with wherethe rest of the players begin the tournament with 0 credits. In a creditbased tournament, this would provide the players that received theinitial credits an advantage. In another embodiment, the gaming systemprovides the players with different amounts of times to play thetournament. In this embodiment of a time based tournament, certainplayers have more time to accrue points or credits to try to win thetournament. In another embodiment,

It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the advantage ortournament element provided to the players for the tournament causes thetournament award to be a dynamically changing award. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 7A to 7K, in one embodiment each player is assigneda multiplier and depending on which player is eliminated from thetournament and at what point the player is eliminated, the tournamentaward continually changes because the values of the unplayed games aredifferent for each player. Another embodiment of a tournament elementthat causes a dynamically changing tournament award is different playersare provided different numbers of initial tournament games. Thedifferent players may have different numbers of remaining games uponelimination. That is, when a tournament player is eliminated, whichtournament player is eliminated changes the value of the tournamentaward. For example, player A is awarded 13 tournament games, player B isawarded 8 tournament games. At the end of 5 played games for eachplayer, if player A is eliminated and player B is not eliminatedassuming the value of unplayed tournament games is the same for eachplayer, the elimination of player A will contribute more to thetournament award than player B. In another embodiment, the averageexpected payout value of the unplayed tournament games is different fromone or more of the players. Therefore, which player is eliminatedchanges the value of the tournament award.

In certain of these embodiments where the tournament award changes, inone embodiment, the gaming system informs the players of the lowestpossible tournament award that the player could win. For example, ifthere are 5 players and 4 have a tournament element of a 1 timesmultiplier and 1 player has a tournament element of a 10 timesmultiplier, the lowest possible tournament award occurs if the playerwith the 10 times multiplier wins the tournament. However, it is notpossible to know the actual contribution to the tournament award untilthe player has actually been eliminated. Therefore, the size of thetournament award is unknown until the end of the tournament.

It should be appreciated that the advantage or element of the tournamentmay be determined in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, theadvantage or element for each player is determined by a number of pointswon in the base game. For example, once a player qualifies for thetournament, the player receives points upon certain events occurring inthe base game. For example, every time the player achieves a designatedsymbol combination, the gaming system provides the player a designatednumber of points. The number of points then determines which advantageor element the player will receive in the tournament. For example, every25 points the player receives, the player receives an addition of 1 totheir multiplier. In one such embodiment, when the player has unevenpoints to obtain the advantage or element, those points are saved forthe player for a later tournament.

In another embodiment, ranges in point values determine the advantage orelement for each player. For example, if a player has 0 to 75 points,the player receives multiplier of 2 in the tournament. If the player has76 to 125 points, the player receives a multiplier of 3 in thetournament. If the player has 126 to 150 points, the player receives amultiplier of 5 in the tournament.

In one such embodiment, qualification is based on achieving the initialpoint range to enter the tournament and points acquired after that canbe used to achieve a better advantage in the tournament. In one suchembodiment, the player may save points and use them for a latertournament. For example, if a player has 0 to 50 points, the player mayenter the tournament with a multiplier of 1. If the player has anadditional 25 points or a total of 75 points, the player may decide touse the points to obtain a multiplier of 2 for the tournament or holdthe points over for qualification or achieving a higher advantage in anext tournament. In one such embodiment, the tournament runs in timeintervals therefore, the timing of entering the tournament and whichadvantage the player receives is strategic on the part of the player towin the tournament or have better luck in a future tournament.

In another embodiment, qualification is based on achieving the initialpoint range to enter the tournament and points acquired after that canbe used to achieve a better advantage in the tournament, however, aftera certain interval of time the points reset. For example, if a playerhas 0 to 50 points, the player may enter the tournament with amultiplier of 1. If the player has an additional 25 points or a total of75 points, the player may decide to use the points to obtain amultiplier of 2 for the tournament or hold the points over forqualification or achieving a higher advantage in a next tournament.However, every hour the points reset, so if the player chooses to savethe player's points and another tournament does not begin or the playerdoes not select to enter a tournament in that time period, the playerloses those points and starts over collecting points for the tournament.

In one embodiment, whether a player wins an advantage or element for thetournament is determined by an event in the base game. However, theadvantage or element for each qualified player is randomly determined.For example, if the gaming device generates a designated symbol in thebase game, the player qualifies for a number of extra tournament games.However, the number of extra tournament games provided to each qualifiedplayer is randomly determined by the gaming system.

These advantages or elements for each player may be determined by acombination of factors in the base game or by a single factor of thebase game.

It should be appreciated that the player elimination triggering eventmay be based on any suitable criterion including but not limited to: (a)time in a time based tournament; (b) number of games played in a numberof games based tournament; (c) total amount wagered in a gaming sessionin a live money tournament; (d) a player ranking, (e) a designatednumber of players falling below a designated threshold in points orcredits, (f) a designated number of players winning a designatedthreshold in points or credits, (g) a designated number of generationsof one or more designated tournament game outcomes; (h) any other playercard statistic and (i) any suitable combination of criterion. In oneembodiment, the gaming system eliminates players on regular intervalssuch as 5 spins, 10 spins, 15 spins and 20 spins of the tournament. Inanother embodiment, the player elimination triggering event is timebased. For example, the gaming system eliminates players at 5 minutes,10 minutes and 20 minutes. In another embodiment, the elimination isbased on a highest score, a lowest score or a designated score. Forexample, when a player reaches a score of 250 in the tournament thegaming system eliminates one or more players.

It should be appreciated that a single tournament may include multipledifferent player elimination triggering events. For example, in atournament, a designated number of games played is a first playerelimination triggering event and a number of credits won is a secondplayer elimination triggering event for a single tournament.

It should be appreciated that the number of players to eliminate uponthe occurrence of a player elimination triggering event may bedetermined in any suitable manner and may affect the tournament award inany suitable manner. In one embodiment, there is a minimum number ofplayers that the gaming system does not eliminate during the tournamentuntil the end of the tournament. For example, the gaming system alwayskeeps two players playing in the tournament. In another embodiment, thegaming system determines which players to eliminate based on a playerelimination threshold. For example, all players that have below 75credits are eliminated upon an occurrence of a first player eliminationtriggering event. All players that have below 150 credits are eliminatedupon an occurrence of a second player elimination triggering event.

It should be appreciated that the number of players that are eliminatedin each elimination may be determined in any suitable manner. In oneembodiment, the elimination is a predetermined percentage of the numberof players that are in the tournament. For example, ¼ of the currenttournament players are eliminated in 2 player elimination events in atournament. In another example, ¼ of the current tournament players areeliminated upon an occurrence of a first player elimination triggeringevent and ½ of the current tournament players are eliminated upon theoccurrence of a second player elimination triggering event.

In another embodiment, how many players are eliminated is based on theexact number of players in the tournament. For example, differentnumbers of players are eliminated if there are 4 tournament players thanif there are 20 tournament players.

Different equations may be used at different points in the tournament todetermine different numbers of players to eliminate upon occurrence ofplayer elimination triggering events. In one specific embodiment of a 20tournament game tournament, if there are more than 4 players initiallyplaying the tournament (total number of players=n), after an occurrenceof a first player elimination triggering event, such as the play of fivetournament games, a number of players equal to (n/4) are eliminated. Inone embodiment, upon an occurrence of a second player eliminationtriggering event, such as 10 played tournament games, with the currenttotal number of players=n, the number of players eliminated is (n/4)(rounded to the nearest integer) subtracted from n, then divided by 4,with that final value rounded to the highest integer. In one embodiment,after an occurrence of a third player elimination triggering event, allplayers except the two players that accumulate the most credits areeliminated. At the end of 20 tournament games, the gaming systemdetermines the winner and provide the tournament award value thatincludes all of expected values of the eliminated player's unplayedtournament games to a tournament winner.

In one embodiment, if there are only 2 players, there is a singleelimination at an end of one of the tournament games. In one embodiment,if there are 20 tournament games, the elimination is at the end of thefifteenth tournament game. After the 15 tournament games, the winner isthen awarded 5 additional tournament games and is awarded the tournamentaward includes the average expected payout values of the unplayedprovided tournament games.

In one embodiment, if there are 3 players, the gaming system eliminatesone of the players upon an occurrence of a first player eliminationtriggering event. In one embodiment, if there are 20 games the player iseliminated at the end of the tenth tournament game and the winner isawarded the tournament award which includes the average expected payoutvalue of the eliminated player's tournament games.

In one embodiment, if there are only 4 players, a single player iseliminated at one point in the tournament and another single player iseliminated at another point in the tournament. For example, in atournament of 20 tournament games, a first player is eliminated afterthe tenth tournament game, and a second player is eliminated after thefifteenth tournament game. The winner is determined at the end of thetwentieth tournament game and this tournament winner is awarded atournament award that includes the average expected payout values of theunplayed tournament games.

In one embodiment, the tournament always includes at least two playerswho are eligible to play the tournament and choose to play thetournament. In one embodiment, the gaming system enables the players toplay one of a plurality of different base games. At the beginning of thegaming session, the gaming system enables the players to access pointsor credits or other redeemable winnings won in other base games bylogging onto the gaming machine. During the base game play, the gamingsystem also accumulates chips, points or credits won associated with thebase game for the player. In one such embodiment, the gaming systemprovides the player chips, points or credits upon the occurrence of adesignated symbol combination generated during play of the base game. Inone embodiment, the tournament occurs during certain time intervals.When the message is sent to each eligible gaming machine that thetournament is to begin, the gaming machine verifies that the player hasaccumulated the required amount of chips, points, or credits to purchasean advantage, such as a multiplier to play the tournament. If the playerhas the required amount of chips, points or credits, an indication ismade by the gaming machine, such as the ringing of a bell. The gamingmachine displays a screen to the player that enables the player topurchase one of a plurality of different advantages using theaccumulated chips, points or credits. For example, the gaming systemenables the player to purchase a multiplier integer between andincluding 1 to 10 based on the accumulated amount of chips, points orcredits. The gaming system enables the player to make a decision to optout of the tournament and not play or purchase a multiplier. In oneembodiment, if the player fails to make a selection, the gaming deviceopts out the player on the player's behalf. In one embodiment, thegaming system provides all of the eligible players a limited amount oftime to purchase the advantage to enter the tournament and if theplayers does not enter the tournament, the players have to wait for anext tournament to being.

Once the tournament begins, such as at the expiration of the timeperiod, the gaming system enables the players to play the tournamentgames. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides each player a samenumber of free initial tournament games. The advantage purchased by theplayer is applied to all of the games of the tournament. For example,the multiplier purchased by the player is applied to each of the wins ofthe tournament games. Upon the occurrence of a player eliminationtriggering event, such as a number of played games, the gaming systemeliminates players from the tournament.

In one embodiment, the eliminations are based on cumulative creditsearned during the tournament games and the players with the least amountof credits are eliminated from the tournament. For example, if theplayers are each provided 20 tournament games, at 15 tournament gamesremaining, 25% of the players with the least amount of cumulativecredits are eliminated from the tournament. When 10 tournament gamesremaining, 25% of the players with the least amount of cumulativecredits are eliminated from the tournament. The average expected payoutvalue of each of the eliminated players' tournament games modified bytheir purchased advantage is allocated to the tournament award. Forexample, if a player is eliminated at the end of the fifth tournamentgame and each tournament game is worth 100 credits and the player has a3× multiplier then 4500 (15×100×3) credits are allocated to thetournament award for that eliminated player. In one embodiment, when 15of the tournament games have been played, the number of the playerseliminated is based on the number of tournament winners.

The tournament award is continuously calculated throughout thetournament whenever a player elimination triggering event occurs. In oneembodiment, for every ten players in the tournament, a player is awardeda portion of the tournament award. For example, if there are 8 playersin the tournament, there is only one tournament winner that wins 100% ofthe tournament award. If there are 19 players in the tournament, thetournament has two tournament winners that split the tournament award.For example, if there are two tournament winners the tournament award issplit 70% and 30%. If there are 20 tournament players, the tournamenthas three tournament winners. For example, the tournament award is split50%, 30% and 20%. It should be appreciated that the tournament can haveany suitable number of tournament winners and that the tournament awardcan be split in any suitable manner.

It should be appreciated that if at upon an occurrence of a playerelimination triggering event one or more players has a same credit valueor same point value or any other same value that the elimination isbased on, the gaming system may determine which player to eliminate inany suitable manner. In one embodiment, the gaming system randomlydetermines which of the tied players to eliminate. In anotherembodiment, all tied players are eliminated. In another embodiment, noneof the tied players are eliminated. In one embodiment, the gaming systemprovides a tie breaker. In one embodiment, the player is given the tiebreaker of selecting a number between 0 and 9. In one such embodiment,the player with the highest number is eliminated. In another embodiment,the player with the lowest number is eliminated. In an embodiment wherethe gaming system provides different advantages or elements of theplayer's tournament games, that advantage or element helps to determinethe tie breaker between the players. For example, in the tie breaker,each player is given a random number between 0 and 9 and that number ismultiplied by that player's multiplier. In one embodiment, the gamingsystem eliminates the player with has the lowest number.

It is possible that multiple players may have a tie. In one embodiment,each player is randomly assigned a number and the players with the 2lowest numbers are eliminated. In one embodiment, the players areeliminated from the lowest number to the largest number. In anotherembodiment the gaming system randomly provides the player a number whichis multiplied by the multiplier, and then players are eliminated fromthe lowest to the largest number. These processes may repeat themselvesuntil the ties are over.

It should be appreciated that the determination of which players toeliminate may be determined in any suitable manner. In one embodiment,which players are eliminated is based on the number of creditsaccumulated by that player in the tournament. A designated number ofplayers with the least amount of credits are eliminated at eachelimination. In another embodiment the players receive points, and theplayers with the lowest number of points are eliminated.

It should also be appreciated that the gaming system enables thetournament to be based on criteria other than most accumulated points orcredits. In one such embodiment, the gaming system determines atournament score or standing for each participating player based onoccurrences of a designated event during the tournament. The tournamentscoring in one embodiment is completely based on one or more designatedoutcomes or events. For example, the player with the most occurrences ofscatter pays wins the tournament. It should be appreciated that thetournament score may be based on any suitable event or combination ofevents. In one embodiment, the player with most occurrences of a singlesymbol wins the tournament. For example, the gaming system determinesthe winner of the tournament based on which player has generated themost wild symbols during play of the tournament. In another embodiment,the player with the most occurrences of one or more designated groups ofsymbols wins the tournament. For example, the gaming system scores thetournament based on which player generated the most flushes in a videopoker tournament. In another embodiment, the designated event or outcomeis generating a symbol in a specific location. For example, the gamingsystem scores the tournament based on the cherry symbols in the firstcolumn or on the first reel. That is, whichever player generates themost cherry symbols in the first column of the gaming device is thewinner of the tournament. In another embodiment, the winner of thetournament is based on the greatest number of total winningcombinations. In another embodiment, the winner of the tournament isbased on the most occurrences of winning outcomes in a row. In anotherembodiment, the winner of the tournament is based on the mostoccurrences of losing outcomes in a row. In another embodiment, thewinner of the tournament is based on the highest single payout of theplayers. In another embodiment, the winner of the tournament is based onthe highest average payout of the players. It should be appreciated thatthe designated outcome or event may be any suitable outcome or event. Inanother embodiment, the tournament is based on the least occurrences ofa designated outcome or event. For example, the tournament winner is theplayer who generated the fewest blank symbols in the slot tournament. Itshould be appreciated that the designated award or event may be anysuitable event, including but not limited to: (a) a game outcome; (b) apoint total; (c) a credit total; (d) a bonus event; (e) a game event; or(f) any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, one or more of the tournament awards are each fundedvia a side bet or side wager. In this embodiment, a player must place orwager a side bet to be eligible to qualify to enter the tournament. Forexample, the player must place a twenty-five credit side bet during eachplay of the base game to become eligible to qualify for the tournamentduring that play of the base game. In one such embodiment, the player isalso required to place a certain level of wager, such as a maximumwager, to be eligible for the tournament. That is, in one embodiment,the player must place the maximum bet and the side bet to qualify toenter the tournament. In one such embodiment, the gaming system providesa single player input to enable the player to place the required sidebet and wager at the same time so the player has to make only one inputto enter a tournament eligible wager.

In one such embodiment, these side wagers create a pool for thetournament. In one embodiment, the amount in the pool determines anumber of free tournament games that will be provided during thetournament. For example, if the average expected payout value of eachtournament game is $1 and the award pool is $100, the tournament willinclude 100 tournament games to be distributed to the players during thetournament. If 5 players play the tournament, each player is initiallyprovided 20 free tournament games. Each of the players play the first 10games without an elimination. The player elimination triggering event is10 games played by each player, after the end of these 10 games, 2 ofthe players are eliminated. Therefore, the average expected payout valueof each of the eliminated players' tournament games is $1. For eachplayer, $10 is contributed to the tournament award for each eliminatedplayer. Therefore, $20 (10 games per player×2 players×$1 per game) isallocated to the tournament award from the award pool of $100. After theplay of 5 more games by each player, the gaming device eliminatesanother player. Therefore, the average expected payout value of theeliminated player's tournament games is $5. Therefore, $5 is allocatedto the tournament award from the award pool. Thus, in one embodiment,this award pool also funds the tournament award. In one embodiment,players win the amount of credits they win in the tournament games. Inone such embodiment, the amount won by the players in the games playedin the tournament is funded by the award pool.

It should be appreciated in different embodiments, the tournament awardis not predictable and changes based on the factors of the tournament.For example, three players are eliminated after the first minute of thetournament. How much the gaming system allocates to the tournament awardis based on how many unplayed games the three players had. In anotherexample, after an occurrence of a player elimination triggering event,such as a first player accumulating 100 points in the tournament, thegaming system determines a number of players to eliminate randomly orbased on a formula. The number of players eliminated and how manyremaining tournament games those players changes the allocation to thetournament award. Therefore, in one embodiment, side wagers placed byplayers trying to win an entry into the tournament fund an award poolthat funds the tournament. In one embodiment, the tournament istriggered when the award pool reaches a designated amount. For example,when the award pool reaches $500 the tournament begins or aparticipation period to begin the tournament begins.

In another embodiment, if the player places or wagers the required sidebet, the player may wager at any credit amount during the primary game(i.e., the player need not place the maximum bet and the side bet to beeligible to qualify to enter the tournament). In one such embodiment,the greater the player's wager (in addition to the placed side bet), thegreater the odds or probability that the player will qualify to enterthe tournament. It should be appreciated that one or more of thetournament awards may each be funded, at least in part, based on thewagers placed on the primary games of the gaming devices in the gamingsystem, via a gaming establishment or via any suitable manner.

In another embodiment, one or more of the tournament awards arepartially funded via a side bet or side wager which the player may make(and which may be tracked via a side bet meter). In one embodiment, oneor more of the tournament awards are funded with only side bets or sidewagers placed. For example, the tournament award provided at the end ofthe tournament includes the average expected payout values of theunplayed but provided tournament games and an intermittent award isfunded by side wagers. In another embodiment, one or more of thetournament awards are funded based on player's wagers as well as anyside bets or side wagers placed.

It should be appreciated that the tournament award may include aninitial award amount at the beginning of the tournament and that theaverage expected payout values of the unplayed tournament games areadded to that initial fund. For example, the initial tournament award is$100. Upon a player elimination event, the average expected payout valueof the unplayed and provided tournament games of the eliminated playersis $25. The tournament award is then $125.

It should be appreciated that in various different embodiments thetournament award changes dynamically based on suitable tournamentevents, characteristics or advantages. In one embodiment, how manyplayers are eliminated upon the occurrence of a player eliminationtriggering event changes the value of the tournament award. For example,if three players are eliminated upon an occurrence of a playerelimination triggering event and the average expected payout value ofeach game is $1 and each of the players has 10 games remaining, $30 isallocated towards the tournament award. However, if twenty players areeliminated upon an occurrence of a player elimination triggering eventand the average expected payout value of each game is $1 and each of theplayers has 10 games remaining, the gaming system allocates $200 towardsthe tournament award.

The present disclosure contemplates that another way the tournamentaward dynamically changes is when or at what time one or more playerelimination triggering events occur. For example, if a playerelimination triggering event occurs which causes the elimination of fiveplayers who each have 18 games remaining and the average expected payoutvalue of each game is $2, the gaming system allocates $180 towards thetournament award. However, if a player elimination triggering eventoccurs which causes the elimination of five players who each have 3games remaining and the average expected payout value of each game is$2, the gaming system allocates $30 towards the tournament award.

In one embodiment, the advantage of the eliminated players causes thetournament award to be dynamic. For example, if a player eliminationtriggering event occurs which causes the elimination of two players whoeach have 10 games remaining and the average expected payout value ofeach game is $2, and one of the players has a multiplier of 10 and oneof the players has a multiplier of 8. the gaming system allocates $380towards the tournament award. However, if a player eliminationtriggering event occurs later in the tournament which causes theelimination of five players who each have 3 games remaining and theaverage expected payout value of each game is $2 and four of the fiveplayers have a multiplier of 1 and one of the players has a multiplierof 2, the gaming system allocates $36 towards the tournament award.

In one embodiment, a minimum wager level is required for a gaming deviceto qualify to be selected to obtain entry into the tournament. In oneembodiment, this minimum wager level is the maximum wager level for theprimary game in the gaming device. In another embodiment, no minimumwager level is required for a gaming device to qualify to be selected toobtain entry into the tournament.

In one embodiment, the base games that qualify players for tournamentplay do not include bonus game triggers. In one embodiment, the fundthat is normally allocated to the bonus games funds the tournament. Inone such embodiment, the base games that qualify players for tournamentplay do not include one or more certain types of bonus triggers, such asone or more free spins triggers. In this embodiment, the fund that isnormally allocated to the free spins funds the tournament.

It should be appreciated that the tournament game and any informationrelated to the tournament may be displayed to players in any suitablemanner. In one embodiment, the tournament game is a game that ispresented instead of base games. That is, the gaming system only enablesthe player to play tournament games at one time and base games atanother time (such as before and after the tournament). In anotherembodiment, the tournament games are provided to the players in aservice window. In one such embodiment, the gaming system enables theplayers to continue playing base games simultaneously while they areplaying tournament games.

In one embodiment, the gaming system continually updates the standingsof the players. At the end of each tournament game, each gaming devicesends a result of that tournament game for that player to a server whichthen causes the display of the results to all the other players. In oneembodiment, there are standings on a common display device such as aleader board that is updated every tournament game. In one embodiment,the tournament award is continually updated and also displayed to one ormore players. In one embodiment, how many tournament games each playerhas left is communicated to other players. For example, players may playthe tournament games at different speeds and the gaming system informsplayers how many tournament games each players has left. In anotherexample, the gaming system provides the players different numbers oftournament games and the gaming system informs other players how manytournament games the players have played or have remaining. It should beappreciated that any information about the tournament may be provided toeach of the tournament players in any suitable manner including visuallyon a common display and/or displayed and/or orally provided individuallyat the gaming devices. It should be appreciated that any informationabout the tournament may be provided to any non-tournament players inany suitable manner.

In one embodiment, an award for a tournament is a game function orenhancement that may be saved and used in non-tournament games that isbased on the amount of credits associated with the average expectedpayout values of the provided unplayed tournament games. For example,the players may win a multiplier to apply to a designated number ofnon-tournament games. It should be appreciated that the gaming systemmay provide any tournament player an award of a non-tournament gamefunction. In one embodiment, the gaming system requires the player toimmediately use the game function after the tournament. In anotherembodiment, the game function is stored in the gaming system or in aplayer account. The player may make an input to use or apply the gamefunction at a later date for any suitable non-tournament game. Inanother embodiment, the gaming system requires the player to use thegame function at a later date, requiring a return visit from the player.In another embodiment, the gaming system requires the player to use thegame function on a certain date, requiring a return visit from theplayer. For example, the gaming system provides the player 10 tournamentgames that must be redeemed the day after winning the tournament games.

It should be appreciated that the tournament may have any suitablenumbers of tournament winners. In one embodiment, the tournament awardis provided to a single tournament player. In another embodiment, thetournament award is split equally among multiple tournament players. Inanother embodiment, the tournament award is split unequally amongmultiple tournament players based on any suitable factor, such ascredits won in the tournament or points won in the tournament.

In one embodiment, the tournament includes a plurality of rounds andeach round includes prizes for the players. That is, an award or a prizeis awarded to other players in addition to the overall tournamentwinner. In another embodiment, the gaming system provides a prize foreach round winner. In another embodiment, the player with the lowestscore receives a prize, such as an entry into another tournament.

It should be appreciated that intermittent or intermediate awards in atournament may be determined based on any suitable tournament or gameparameters or criteria which can be measured by the server based system.In one embodiment, one or more intermittent awards are based ondesignated symbol occurrences on a designated payline. In anotherembodiment, the player with the first occurrence of a designated eventwins a prize. For example, the first player who achieves a royal flushin a video poker tournament wins an award or prize. The gaming systemmay provide any suitable number of players awards or prizes based on anysuitable criteria. It should be appreciated that the designated award orevent may be any suitable event, including but not limited to: (a) agame outcome; (b) a point total; (c) a credit total; (d) a bonus event;(e) a game event; or (f) any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the tournament provides intermittent awards to theplayers based on the average expected payout values of unplayed games ofeliminated players. In one such embodiment, instead of or in addition toproviding a tournament award at the end of the tournament, the gamingsystem provides intermittent awards. For example, at the end of a firstelimination, the gaming system provides a player (such as the playerwith the most credits) an award equal to 30% of the current tournamentaward. At the end of the second elimination, the gaming system providesa player (such as the player with the most credits) an award equal to50% of the current tournament award. At an end of the tournament, thegaming system provides the tournament winner the remaining tournamentaward.

It should be appreciated that the tournament may include any suitablenumber of rounds. It should also be appreciated that the tournament maybe played on gaming devices in one establishment or on gaming devices ina plurality of gaming establishments.

It should be appreciated that the tournament game may be any suitablegame. In one embodiment, the tournament game is the same for each of aplurality of players. In another embodiment the tournament gamesprovided to players are different types of games. For example, thetournament games provided to each player may be 5 poker games and 5blackjack games. In one embodiment, the tournament game is the same asthe base game but has an added element. For example, the base game is aslot game. The tournament game is the slot game but has one or moredesignated or extra symbols that cause an award of different numberscredit to the players. In one embodiment, the gaming system determinesthe credits to award based on the occurrence of the extra symbolrandomly. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines the creditbased on the occurrence of the extra symbol from a weighted table. Inone embodiment, these extra credits provided for the generation of oneor more extra symbols are changed by an applicable advantage or elementprovided in the tournament. For example, these extra credits providedfor the generation of one or more designated symbols are multiplied byany provided multipliers in the game. In certain embodiments, thedifferent types of games level the playing field of other base games. Inone embodiment, the tournament includes different tournament games thathave different average payback percentages. Therefore, as differentplayers are eliminated different amounts are contributed to thetournament award based on which games the eliminated players areplaying. A player playing a game with a lower payback percentage canthen win the tournament award which is determined on eliminated playerswhose unplayed tournament games contributed a higher percentage to thetournament award, leveling the playing field of the players.

It should be appreciated that the tournament triggering event may be anysuitable event. In one embodiment, the triggering event is a passage oftime. For example, at the end of the time period, such as every 5minutes, the gaming system provides a tournament to all qualifiedplayers. In another embodiment, the triggering event is a game outcomegenerated in a designated time period. In another embodiment, thetriggering event is an operator input. In another embodiment, thetriggering event is a number of game outcomes, such as a certain numberof consecutive winning game outcomes. In another embodiment, thetournament triggering event is a point total. In another embodiment, thetriggering event is an accumulating event. In another embodiment thetournament event is a collected number of designated game outcomes. Forexample, when qualified players collectively achieve 5 of the designatedgame outcomes the tournament begins. In another embodiment thetournament triggering event is a single outcome generated in adesignated time period. In another embodiment, the tournament triggeringevent is a point total won by qualified players. In another embodiment,the tournament triggering event is a designated number of players beingeligible for the tournament. For example when 50 players are eligible toplay the tournament, the tournament begins. In one embodiment, sidewagers placed by players trying to win an entry into the tournament fundan award pool that funds the tournament. In one embodiment, thetournament is triggered when the award pool reaches a designated amount.

It should be appreciated that any suitable qualifier or qualification orcombination of qualifications may be employed to determine eligibilityfor tournament play. In one embodiment, a method or characteristic of aplayer's base game qualifies the player for tournament entry.

In one embodiment, the tournament qualification event is achieving acertain symbol combination in a play of a base game. In anotherembodiment, the tournament qualification event is achieving a pluralitycertain symbol combinations in a play of a base game duringuninterrupted play. In another embodiment, the tournament qualificationevent is achieving a plurality certain symbol combinations in a play ofa base game in a certain number of games or over a certain period oftime. In another embodiment, the tournament qualification event iswinning a certain number of points from a base game to qualify for thetournament.

In certain embodiments, entry into the tournament is free and the gamesthat are provided to the players during the tournament are each freegames. In certain other embodiments, entry into the tournament is freebut the gaming system requires payment or a wager for the play of eachgame during the tournament. In one embodiment, the gaming systemrequires the player to pay for one or more of the tournament games. Forexample, if the player must pay $10 to play 10 tournament games. In oneembodiment, the player is required to pay for the entire tournamentbefore the start of the tournament. In another embodiment, the gamingsystem requires the player to wager on one or more of the tournamentgames. For example, the player must wager on every provided tournamentgame and the wager amount is used to determine any award provided bythat tournament game. In certain embodiments, the gaming system requiresa player to pay an entry free to participate in the tournament. In theseembodiments, the entry fee and/or the wager to play each game is takeninto account in the average expected payout values of the tournamentgames.

In one embodiment, the tournament qualifying event is based on amountthe player wagers. The wager qualification may be measured in anysuitable manner. In certain types of tournaments, the wagerqualification is determined by the amount a player wagers such as aplayer's coin-in or wagers in on a single gaming device duringuninterrupted game play. In another embodiment, the wager qualificationamount is determined by the amount the player wagers at any linkedgaming device in an allotted period of time such as 24 hours. In anotherembodiment, the wager qualification amount is determined by the amountwagered on designated gaming devices or in particular gamingestablishments. In another embodiment, the tournament qualifier is basedfrom the average wager per spin of the reels or play of the game. Inanother embodiment, the amount a player wins determines whether theplayer qualifies for the tournament entry. The qualification win amountmay be measured in any suitable manner. In one type of tournament, thequalification win amount is determined by the amount a player wins on asingle gaming device during uninterrupted game play. In anotherembodiment, the qualification win amount is determined by the amount aplayer wins in an allotted time period. In another embodiment, thequalification win amount is determined by the amount the player wins ata certain type of game for a certain amount of time, such as the amountin a poker game over one week.

In one embodiment, the tournament qualifying event is based on the totalamount lost by a player over a certain time. In one embodiment, losing adesignated amount qualifies the player for tournament entry. In anotherembodiment, losing a certain number of spins or games in a row qualifiesthe player for tournament entry. This type of tournament creates loserstournament and provides players incentives to continue playing afterhitting a period of bad luck. In one embodiment, in various types oftournaments a game outcome qualifies the player for tournament entry.For example in one embodiment, achieving a certain game score qualifiesthe player for tournament entry. In another embodiment, playing a gamefor certain amount of time qualifies the player for tournament entry. Inanother embodiment, the gaming system provides the player a tournamententry as a bonus award. In another embodiment, a player may win atournament entry in a bonus game. That is, a player wins tournamentqualification based on the outcome of a triggered bonus or secondarygame. In another embodiment, the gaming system provides a player atournament entry fee as an award in a primary or bonus game. That is, aplayer may win an entry fee into the tournament as an award in a game.In one such embodiment, the entry fee award is only available to playersthat have previously qualified for a tournament. In another embodiment,a player may win the tournament entry fee when they are not qualifiedfor a tournament but may then have to win a tournament qualification orplay of tournament not requiring tournament qualification to play thetournament.

In one embodiment, the tournament qualifying event is achieving on ascore or win in a previous tournament. That is, a player may win anentry into a tournament from a previous tournament play.

In one embodiment, the tournament qualification event is determinedbased on one or more elements from a player tracking system or account.For example, all players of a certain rank or level may qualify fortournament entry. In another embodiment, all new members to a playertracking system or gaming establishment receive an automatic tournamententry. In another embodiment, upon a player's birthday the gaming systemprovides the player a tournament entry. In one embodiment, a playertracking system includes point intervals in each type of player which isa point interval the player received in entering into a tournament.

In one embodiment, a tournament qualification event is triggered basedon one or more game play events, such as a symbol-driven trigger. Inother embodiments, the tournament qualification triggering event orqualifying condition may be achieved by exceeding a certain amount ofgame play (such as number of games, number of credits, or amount oftime), or reaching a specified number of points earned during game play.In another embodiment, a gaming device is randomly or apparentlyrandomly selected to provide a player of that gaming device a tournamententry. In one such embodiment, the gaming device does not provide anyapparent reasons to the player for winning a tournament entry, whereinqualifying for the tournament is not triggered by an event in or basedspecifically on any of the plays of any primary game. That is, a playeris provided a tournament entry without any explanation or alternativelywith simple explanations. In another embodiment, a player is provided atournament entry at least partially based on a game triggered or symboltriggered event, such as at least partially based on the play of aprimary game.

In another embodiment, the tournament qualification event is based on apoint system. In one such embodiment, the gaming system provides theplayers points based on one or more events in the base game. Forexample, the gaming system provides a first point amount to a player fora first combination generated on an active payline and a second pointamount to the player for the second combination on the active payline.The player then may use the qualification points for tournament entry.For example, if 50 points are required for tournament entry and theplayer has 65 points, the player may use 50 of those points for thetournament. In one embodiment, the player then holds the other 15 pointsto use in an advantage of the tournament or to purchase anothertournament entry. In another embodiment, the player only has a limitedtime to use the points. In another embodiment, the player may accumulatepoints until the player chooses to use them.

In another embodiment, the gaming system or establishment provides theplayers chips that are won through base games. In different embodiments,the gaming system enables the players to use the chips to be eligiblefor bonus games, to play free games or to use to enter the tournament.Therefore, the gaming system enables the player to make decisions on howto use the multi-use chips to try to obtain the most credits.

In one embodiment of the tournament, at the end of the tournament, thetournament winner plays a game that determines the value of thetournament award. In one such embodiment, the average expected payoutvalues of each unplayed and provided game values are allocated towards apool for the tournament award. The gaming system then provides thetournament winner a game that determines the value of the tournamentaward provided to the player. For example, the average expected payoutvalues of each unplayed and provided game values are allocated towards apool for the tournament award pool, with a value of $175. The gamingsystem then provides the tournament winner a game with three maskedselections. The first masked selection is associated with a value of$175. The second masked selection is associated with a value of $155.The third masked selection is associated with a value of $100. Thetournament winner selects one of the selections and the selectiondetermines the value of the tournament award provided to the player. Itshould be appreciated that the game provided to the tournament winnermay be any suitable game including but not limited to selection games,video poker games, video blackjack games, video keno and video bingogames.

It should be appreciated that any suitable element of any of theexamples disclosed herein may be combined. It should be understood thatvarious changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodimentsdescribed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Suchchanges and modifications can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing itsintended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A tournament gaming systemcomprising: a plurality of gaming machines each including: a housing; adisplay device supported by the housing; an input device supported bythe housing; an acceptor configured to receive a physical itemassociated with a monetary value to facilitate establishment of a creditbalance; a processor; and a memory device that stores a plurality ofinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto operate with the display device, the input device, and the acceptor;and a controller configured to operate with the plurality of gamingmachines to, for a tournament for which the plurality of gaming machineshave qualified: (a) for each of the plurality of gaming machines, trackplay of a tournament game by a player of that gaming machine during thetournament; (b) for each tournament game played on one of the pluralityof gaming machines during the tournament, randomly generate and causethe display device of that gaming machine to display a tournament gameoutcome; (c) if a tournament advantage condition is satisfied for aplayer of one of the plurality of gaming machines, provide that playeran advantage for at least one play of the tournament game; (d) determinea tournament winner based on the tracked tournament game play; and (e)cause at least part of a tournament award to be provided to thetournament winner.
 2. The tournament gaming system of claim 1, whereinthe controller is configured to operate with the plurality of gamingmachines to: (1) for each of the plurality of gaming machines, determinea quantity of tournament games available to be played by a player ofthat gaming machine in the tournament; (2) when a player eliminationevent occurs, eliminate at least one but fewer than all of the playersfrom the tournament; (3) after the player elimination event occurs, foreach eliminated player, determine any unplayed tournament games thateliminated player has remaining following elimination; and (4) determinea value of the tournament award based at least in part on an averageexpected payout value of each determined unplayed tournament game. 3.The tournament gaming system of claim 2, wherein the controller isconfigured to operate with the plurality of gaming machines to, if thetournament advantage condition is satisfied for a player of one of theplurality of gaming machines, provide that player the advantage for eachplay of the tournament game.
 4. The tournament gaming system of claim 3,wherein the average expected payout value of a determined unplayedtournament game of a player is larger if the tournament advantagecondition is satisfied for that player than if the tournament advantagecondition is not satisfied for that player.
 5. The tournament gamingsystem of claim 1, wherein the tournament advantage condition issatisfied based on at least one play of a primary game that occursbefore the tournament.
 6. The tournament gaming system of claim 5,wherein the plurality of gaming machines enable the players toaccumulate advantage points during plays of the primary game.
 7. Thetournament gaming system of claim 6, wherein the tournament advantagecondition is satisfied for a player when the player redeems a quantityof accumulated advantage points.
 8. The tournament gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein the tournament award is variable based on whether thetournament advantage condition is satisfied.
 9. The tournament gamingsystem of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to operate witheach gaming machine to enable the player of that gaming machine to playa designated quantity of plays of the tournament game during thetournament.
 10. The tournament gaming system of claim 9, wherein thedesignated quantity of plays is larger for a player when the tournamentadvantage condition is satisfied for the player that if the tournamentadvantage condition is not satisfied for the player.
 11. A method ofoperating a tournament gaming system, the method comprising: (a) foreach of a plurality of gaming machines, enabling a player to play aprimary game on that gaming machine following receipt, by an acceptor ofthe gaming machine, of a physical item associated with a monetary valueand establishment of a credit balance for the player based at least inpart on the monetary value associated with the physical item; (b)responsive to an occurrence of a tournament triggering event,initiating, by a controller, a tournament for which each of theplurality of gaming machines is qualified; (c) for each of the pluralityof gaming machines, tracking, by the controller, play of a tournamentgame by the player of that gaming machine during the tournament; (d) foreach tournament game played on one of the plurality of gaming machinesduring the tournament, randomly generating, by at least one processor,and displaying, by a display device of that gaming machine, a tournamentgame outcome; (e) if a tournament advantage condition is satisfied for aplayer of one of the plurality of gaming machines, providing that playeran advantage for at least one play of the tournament game; (f)determining, by the controller, a tournament winner based on the trackedtournament game play; and (g) causing, by the controller, at least partof a tournament award to be provided to the tournament winner.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, which includes: (1) for each of the plurality ofgaming machines, determining, by the controller, a quantity oftournament games available to be played by a player of that gamingmachine in the tournament; (2) when a player elimination event occurs,eliminating, by the controller, at least one but fewer than all of theplayers from the tournament; (3) after the player elimination eventoccurs, for each eliminated player, determining, by the controller, anyunplayed tournament games that eliminated player has remaining followingelimination; and (4) determining, by the controller, a value of thetournament award based at least in part on an average expected payoutvalue of each determined unplayed tournament game.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, which includes, if the tournament advantage condition issatisfied for a player of one of the plurality of gaming machines,providing that player the advantage for each play of the tournamentgame.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the average expected payoutvalue of a determined unplayed tournament game of a player is larger ifthe tournament advantage condition is satisfied for that player than ifthe tournament advantage condition is not satisfied for that player. 15.The method of claim 11, wherein the tournament advantage condition issatisfied based on at least one play of a primary game that occursbefore the tournament.
 16. The method of claim 15, which includesenabling the players to accumulate advantage points during plays of theprimary game on the plurality of gaming devices.
 17. The method of claim16, wherein the tournament advantage condition is satisfied for a playerwhen the player redeems a quantity of accumulated advantage points. 18.The method of claim 11, wherein the tournament award is variable basedon whether the tournament advantage condition is satisfied.
 19. Themethod of claim 11, which includes, for each gaming machine, enablingthe player of that gaming machine to play a designated quantity of playsof the tournament game during the tournament.
 20. The method of claim19, wherein the designated quantity of plays is larger for a player whenthe tournament advantage condition is satisfied for the player that ifthe tournament advantage condition is not satisfied for the player.